This study prospectively assessed the preferences and satisfaction of 98 psychiatric inpatients and 40 of their relatives with family involvement in discharge planning. Preferences questionnaires were administered during hospitalization. Satisfaction questionnaires were completed 3 months later. Preferences noted by most participants included information concerning patient health status, ways to prevent further hospitalizations, services for relatives, and signs of patient decompensation. More relatives than patients felt that post-discharge residence and activities were important areas to be involved in. Most participants were satisfied if relatives were involved in discharge planning. However, up to 89% of patients, and 84% of relatives, reported no communication between clinical staff and relatives regarding discharge. When this was the case, satisfaction rates dropped sharply, especially for relatives. The need for increased communication between clinicians and relatives regarding discharge planning remains a problem.

The purpose of this study is to develop a scale in order to determine the informational needs deemed most important by psychiatric outpatients, and to determine their level of satisfaction with information received. The 'Patients' Perspective on Information Questionnaire' (PPIQ) scale was created and given to a volunteer sample of 86 psychiatric outpatients. The Client satisfaction questionnaire (CSQ-8), assessing global satisfaction, was also completed to assess the convergent validity of the PPIQ-Satisfaction subscale. Internal consistency for the two PPIQ subscales (Information and Satisfaction) is excellent (alpha = 0.90 and 0.91). Convergent validity between the Satisfaction subscale and the CSQ is adequate (r = 0.5). The PPIQ reveals high importance ratings given to items such as 'side effects of medication' and 'confidentiality and access to chart'. Elevated satisfaction ratings are given to items from the conceptual category 'treatment information'. Dissatisfaction on the PPIQ is highest for components of 'information on service modality and organization'. The PPIQ appears to distinguish between information that is important to clients and their level of satisfaction with that information. Satisfaction on multiple components of information, such as treatment, service modality and organization, and clinical difficulties should be assessed to generate feedback to improve services.

With the growing interest in the patient's perspective regarding mental health services, several instruments have been developed for this area of research. However, despite the availability of multidimensional questionnaires, the dimensions evaluated have rarely addressed the issue of the involvement of relatives in treatment. The present study aimed at documenting the preferences and level of satisfaction of 92 patients hospitalized in short-term psychiatric units regarding the involvement of their relatives in treatment. Data was collected using an open-ended question and two standardized scales developed for the purposes of this study. The results demonstrated that the majority of patients preferred that their relatives be involved in many aspects of their treatment. In fact, a relatively high rate of dissatisfaction of 35.6% was observed among patients concerning the lack of notification of their relatives about changes in their treatment. In the context of deinstitutionalization, where relatives are invited to play an increasing role in the community reintegration of the patient, these findings highlight the pertinence of addressing the patient's perspective with regard to treatment planning with relatives.