Parental evaluation of child and adolescent mental health services: a multicentric study

A self-completed questionnaire for routinely assessing parents' opinions on the quality of care in child and adolescent mental health services was developed. A reliability study was performed, and the questionnaire was then introduced in the practice of 5 services. Parents' opinions were evaluated, and specific aspects of services more associated with the overall opinion were investigated. Very good results were observed in the reliability study. Parents had critical opinions about the availability of the rehabilitative equipment, emergency management, and linkage among different types of services. The judgement about health outcomes was the most important predictor of the overall opinion on the quality of services. Because of its user-friendliness, the questionnaire may be particularly suitable for routine use.