Evidence-Based Social Work Interventions to Improve Client Attendance in Rural Mental Health: An Overview of Literature

Abstract

A patient’s unwillingness to adhere to scheduled appointment affects the patient, the clinic, and the community. Several barriers have been identified that increases the no-show rates among patients. While the rates of no-show have remained about the same throughout history, evidence-based interventions are needed to provide consumer with a continued and steady treatment regimen. Evidence-based interventions are particularly important to increasing attendance in rural mental health. Social workers are an important link between the patient getting adequate mental health services and attending services. Social workers development of evidence-based interventions will assist in breaking down the challenges associated with barrier to no-shows. The results of this study highlight the importance of evidence-based social worker interventions on improving client attendance in rural mental health.