Appointments for Intake Interviews: An Analysis of Appointment-Keeping Behavior at an Urban Community Mental Health Center

Abstract

The present descriptive study profiles a number of variables related to outcome, i.e., show vs no-show, for routine intake appointments at a large urban community mental health center. Data obtained from 156 individuals at their initial contact with the community mental health center were analyzed using general loglinear and chi-squared procedures. Method of contact (in person, telephone) and latency for intake appointment (number of days between initial mental health center contact and date of intake appointment) are statistically significantly related to outcome. Individuals who contact the community mental health center by telephone and have relatively short latencies for intake appointments are more likely to “show” for their intake appointments than individuals who make contact in person and have relatively long latencies. Results are discussed in relation to previous research involving appointment keeping. Suggestions for future research are presented.