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Factors influencing general practitioner referral to a child psychiatric service

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Ramalingam N Chithiramohan ,
Clive G Ballard ,
Mark A Baxter ,
Linda Jones ,
Sumithra Handy ,
Lawrence McGibben ,
Anwar Sheikh  and
Raza Silveira
Ramalingam N Chithiramohan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2QZ, England
Clive G Ballard
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry
Mark A Baxter
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham
Sumithra Handy
Affiliation:
Charles Burns Clinic, Moseley, Birmingham
Lawrence McGibben
Affiliation:
Child & Family Service, Eastbourne
Raza Silveira
Affiliation:
Gulson Hospital, Coventry
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Abstract

Objective: To investigate factors influencing general practitioner referrals of children with psychiatric disorders to specialist services. Method: One hundred and sixty seven general practitioners were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire concerning their referral practices. Results: Emotional disorder, conduct disorder, drug abuse and habit disorder were the problems most likely to be referred to the child psychiatric clinic. Parental concern and the severity of the child's illness were considered to be more important than social circumstances in determining referral to specialist services. Conclusions: Many general practitioners indicated that they would have referred children with psychiatric disorders to specialist services other than child psychiatry. Proactive liaison work is needed to increase the awareness and confidence of general practitioners in child psychiatric services.

Keywords

Child psychiatryGeneral practitionerReferral patterns
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 10 , Issue 3 , October 1993 , pp. 144 - 147
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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