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  • Title: What do GPs want from a psychiatrist's letter?
    Author: Selzer R, Foley F, Ellen S, McGartland M.
    Journal: Australas Psychiatry; 2009; 17(5):385-8. PubMed ID: 20455799.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the preferences of general practitioners (GPs) in reply letters for patients referred for a one-off psychiatric assessment. METHOD: A sample of GPs referring to a primary mental health team service were mailed a questionnaire inquiring into the usefulness of 21 different letter items. RESULTS: The response rate was 51%. Many of the items in our routine reply letters were rated highly, but others such as developmental history, supplementary information and a comprehensive report were not. Sending a copy of the letter to the patient was rated as useful by only 42.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' guidelines for reply letters are endorsed. There are, however, some additional items that GPs may find useful.
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