Increased Collaboration Between Primary Care and Psychiatric Services. A Survey of General Practitioners' Views and Referrals

Aim: To evaluate a primary care partnership between the Rockingham-Kwinana Mental Health Service and Division of General Practice including a memorandum of understanding to streamline referrals, a consultation-liaison service, and a Balint group.

Method: A questionnaire was sent to all 74 general practitioners in the Division. Standardised interviews compared GPs using the service with those who did not. We compared content of GP referrals before and after implementation with referrals of a control area (Armadale).

Results: Thirty-four GPs (45%) returned questionnaires and 46 (62%) participated in interviews; 26 (80%) found the duty officer useful as a point of first consultation-liaison contact; 19 (60%) used referral forms. Most (80%) were aware of the consultation-liaison service and half had either used it or the Balint group. Referral content changed significantly compared to Armadale.

Discussion: This study had weaknesses: it relied on self report and retrospective information on GP work practices, knowledge and interests, and nonblinded assessments of referral letters. Primary care partnerships may improve GPs' self reported skills in managing psychiatric disorder and referral behaviour.