Komail Abbas¹, Elizabeth King², Michelle Silverio³, Alice Forrester, PhD⁴, Pam Hubner, MA⁴, and Louis Massari, MPH⁴. (1) Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Epidemiology and Public Health, 60 College St, New Haven, CT 06510, (2) Global Health Division, Yale University School of Epidemiology and Public Health, 60 College St., New Haven, CT 06510, 203-710-4025, elizabeth.king@yale.edu, (3) Health Policy and Administration, Yale University School of Epidemiology and Public Health, 60 CollegeSt., New Haven, CT 06510, (4) Clifford Beers Clinic, 93 Edwards St., New Haven, CT 06511

Background: Circumstances that bring children to mental health clinics are often results of the adverse environment in which they live. Increasingly, mental health clinics are recognizing the diversity of their client’s needs. A child’s utilization of mental health services is contingent upon their parents’ expectations and satisfaction of care. Parents’ expectations and clinician’s expertise can possibly be conflicting. It is important for the two interest groups to reach mutual understanding.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the level of satisfaction of current clients at Clifford Beers Clinic (CBC), a community-based children’s outpatient mental health clinic in New Haven, Connecticut. Over half of CBC’s clients are referred by the Department of Children and Families and approximately 80% are Medicaid recipients. The clinic will use this information to enhance services to better meet client needs.

Methods: An interviewer-administered questionnaire in both English and Spanish was developed to measure parental satisfaction of the services their children received at CBC. The questionnaire consisted of responses on a Likert scale and qualitative answers. Participation was completely anonymous. Statistical analysis was performed using the SAS Version 8 program and final results were provided to CBC.

Expected Outcome: Factors including length of treatment, number of sessions, and reasons for referral are expected to be associated with level of parent satisfaction. CBC will use results to improve services for current and future clients. In addition, CBC can use these results to apply for future funding sources.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

• Identify a tool to assess parents’ satisfaction and expectations of the mental health treatment their child is receiving.
• Apply the assessment tool to document success in reaching goals.
• Discuss factors that influence parent’s satisfaction with their child’s mental health treatment.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Clifford Beers Clinic is a outpatient mental health clinic for children based in New Haven, CT.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.