Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T22:17:52.805Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An analysis of general practice referral behaviour to psychiatric out-patient clinics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Teresa Carey ,
John Owens ,
Pauline Mulligan  and
Damien Moran
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyse general practice referrals to psychiatric out-patient clinics and their relation to practice and patient variables.

Method: Retrospective analysis of new episode attendances at out-patient services over a three year period was undertaken. Referring practices were examined for referral rates, single or group practice and the presence of Vocational/Psychiatric training within the practice.

Results: Referral rates were similar to national rates, but were lower than other jurisdictions. There was a tendency for group practices to have lower referral rates.

Conclusions: There was considerable difference between practices in referral rates. These differences were significantly related to GP vocational training.

Keywords

General practice referralsPsychiatric outpatientclinics
Type
Audit
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , December 1994 , pp. 177 - 179
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Goldberg, D, Huxley, P. Mental illness in the community: the pathway to psychiatric care. London: Tavistock Publications, 1980.Google Scholar
2.Fahy, TJ. Pathways of specialist referral of depressed patients from practice. Br J Psychiatry 1974; 124: 231–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Kessel, N. Psychiatric morbidity in a London general practice. Br J Soc Prev Med 1960; 14: 16–22.Google Scholar
4.Strathdee, G, Williams, P. A survey of psychiatrists in primary care: the silent growth of a new service. J R Coll Gen Pract 1984; 34: 615–8.Google ScholarPubMed
5.Pullen, IM, Yellowlees, AJ. Psychiatrists in primary care in Scotland - a silent majority. Br J Psychiatry 1988; 153: 663–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Williams, P, Clare, A. Changing patterns of psychiatric care. BMJ 1981; 292:375–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Mitchell, ARK. Participating in primary care: differing styles of liaison. Psychiatr Bull 1989; 13: 135–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Creed, F, Marks, B. Liaison psychiatry in general practice: a comparison of a liaison attachment scheme and the shifted out-patient model. J R Coll Gen Pract 1989;39:514–7.Google Scholar
9.Wilkinson, G. Referrals from general practitioners to psychiatrists and paramedical mental health professionals. Br J Psychiatry 1989; 154: 72–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Walsh, D, O'Hare, A, Blake, B, Halpenny, JV, O'Brien, PF. The treated prevalence of mental illness in the Republic of Ireland – the three county case register study. Psychol Med 1980; 10: 465–70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Keane, P, Fahy, TJ. Who receives the aftercare? Utilisation of services by discharged in-patients. Psychol Med 1982; 12: 891–902.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Cooper, SJ, Gilliland, A, et al.Primary care based psychiatric clinics: observations on a one year cohort of referrals. Ir J Psychol Med 1992; 9: 13–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Williams, P, Balestrieri, M. Psychiatric clinics in general practice – Do they reduce admissions? Br J Psychiatry 1989; 154: 67–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14. Personal Communication. Department of Health, Hawkins House, Dublin.Google Scholar
15. Mental Health Record Scheme, Regional Information Branch, DHSS, Castle Buildings, Stormont, Belfast BT4 34D, Northern Ireland.Google Scholar
16.Casey, P. A guide to psychiatry in primary care. London: Wrightson Biomedical Publishing Ltd., 1990.Google Scholar
17.Casey, PR, Dillon, J, Tyrer, P. The diagnostic status of patients with conspicuous psychiatric morbidity in general practice. Psychol Med 1984; 14: 673–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Cooper, B, Fry, J, Kalton, G. A longitudinal study of psychiatric morbidity in a general practice population. Br J Prev Soc Med 1969; 23: 210–7.Google Scholar
19.Smyth, F, Owens, J, Carey, T. Communication between general practitioners and psychiatrists – an analysis of general practitioner referral letters. Irish Medical Journal 1993; 86.Google Scholar