Identifying Factors for Patient Dropout from Psychiatry Outpatient Care: A Lost to Follow-up Study
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Authors
Singh, Manpreet
Laxmi, Raj
Suman, Aarzoo
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Issue Date
01/10/2025
Type
Journal article
Language
Keywords
Mental Health
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Abstract
Introduction: Long-term follow-ups and evaluation of health and treatment of patients has been a challenge always. Dropout of patients or not following up can put their health at risk, leading to relapse or poor compliance. For patients with mental disorders, it can affect their well-being, mental health, and quality of life.
Materials and Methods: In this study, patients who attended psychiatry outpatient department or inpatient department for 1 year were assessed. The 201 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and had stopped follow-ups were called, and reasons were noted for the same. Verbal consent was obtained. A semi-structured pro forma was filled telephonically, and confidentiality was maintained.
Results: Out of the 263 patients who stopped follow-up in 1 year period, only 201 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The number of females (53.7%) was more than males. Majority of the patients were married (81.6%). Majority of the patients belonged to neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (44.8%), followed by mood (affective) disorders (40.3%). Out of the reasons, the most common were complete improvement and no further follow-up and treatment required (26.4%) and changed to another doctor, after no improvement reported within 1 month of treatment (21.9%).
Discussion: Loss to follow-up is quite common and an area of concern. There is a lack of data to give an overview of the reasons for this. This area needs to be looked into to stop the dropout of treatment and have a more holistic approach of treatment.
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Citation
Annals of Indian Psychiatry 9(4):p 385-389, Oct–Dec 2025. | DOI: 10.4103/aip.aip_55_25
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Journal
Annals of Indian Psychiatry
Volume
9
Issue
4