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  • Title: A survey of residency-trained family physicians and their referral of psychosocial problems.
    Author: Brown JB, Weston WW.
    Journal: Fam Med; 1992; 24(3):193-6. PubMed ID: 1577211.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Communication between family physicians and other specialists has been identified as a central component of the referral process. This survey examines the referral process between family physicians and psychiatrists. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to all 167 graduates of a family practice residency program in Ontario; 154 (92.2%) responded. The questionnaire requested information from the family physicians about the frequency of, reason for, and satisfaction with referrals they made to psychiatrists. RESULTS: In the previous year, 41 percent of family physicians had regularly referred patients to a psychiatrist. The main reasons for referral were for assessment and advice on patient management and/or for ongoing psychiatric care. Family physicians referred to one of several psychiatrists, depending on the patient's problem. The primary method of interphysician communication was a personal conversation between the family physician and the psychiatrist. Only 50% of family physicians were satisfied with the assistance provided by psychiatrists to whom they referred patients, and only 40% were satisfied with feedback they received from these consultants. CONCLUSIONS: The high degree of dissatisfaction suggests that improvement is needed in the interactions between family physicians and psychiatrists.
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