No abstract

Over a six-month period records were kept of appointment keeping by out-patients attending clinical psychologists. Background information was recorded. Approximately 20 per cent of appointments were cancelled or broken, and in a further 6 per cent patients arrived late. Compliance was significantly but not strongly related to sex, social class, marital and family factors, transport, diagnosis and amount of previous attendance. Patients who missed the first appointment were very likely to miss the second. The results were consistent with previous findings and suggestions are made for further investigation.

No abstract

Fourteen nurse therapists completed self-administered questionnaires on their assessment of and input to management of alcohol and sedative drug use among 110 anxious patients referred to them for behaviour therapy. Information on use and on case management is summarized. The therapists play an active, extended role in assessing, communicating about and in some cases advising on reduction of these substances. Policies on use in the context of behaviour therapy are formed in training, and implications for training and the need for awareness of the relevant literature are discussed.