Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Message Framing and Engagement in Specialty Mental Health Care: A Follow-up Analysis.

Mavandadi S, Wright E, Klaus J, Oslin D. Message Framing and Engagement in Specialty Mental Health Care: A Follow-up Analysis. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.). 2018 Oct 1; 69(10):1109-1112.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Nonengagement rates in specialty mental health care are high. This study examined the extent to which varying the message frame of appointment reminder letters was associated with attendance rates in specialty mental health appointments. METHODS: In a randomized, prospective, and experimental design, 360 patients meeting criteria for major depression and referred to specialty mental health care were randomly assigned to receive either a routine reminder letter or a reminder letter that included one of two messages (gain framed or loss framed). Letters were sent prior to patients' scheduled specialty care appointments, and attendance data were extracted for up to six months. RESULTS: Participants who received letters with gain-framed messages attended their scheduled appointments at a significantly higher rate than those who received a routine letter with no additional message (p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Emphasizing the benefits of attending specialty mental health care appointments was associated with increased rates of attendance.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.