Waiting Times in Clinical Psychology in Public Mental Health Units: Predictors of Attendance at the First Appointment and Early Dropout

BACKGROUND: Waiting lists in mental health are a growing problem. This study analyzes their impact on attendance and early dropout from treatment in the Santander health area of the Spanish National Health System. METHOD: A retrospective observational study was conducted with 2,765 patients referred from Primary Care to four Mental Health Units during 2021. Logistic regressions were applied to analyze the influence of waiting times on attendance at the first appointment and early dropout, and ROC curves were used to identify optimal cut-off points. RESULTS: The median waiting time was 51 days for the first appointment and 35 between the first and second. A total of 84.6% attended their first session, with higher attendance in women, older individuals, those with work-related disability, and shorter waiting times. Early dropout (15.8%) was associated with longer time between appointments, being male, and being younger. The discriminative power of the cut-off points was poor. CONCLUSIONS: Waiting times exceed recommended standards and negatively affect treatment continuity. Structural reforms and more human resources are needed to improve access to and the effectiveness of psychological care.