A survey of residency-trained family physicians and their referral of psychosocial problems.
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.
Brown
J B
JB
Department of Family Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London.
Weston
W W
WW
D002170:Canada; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005194:Family Practice; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011570:Psychiatry; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires