The role of general practitioners in mental health care: a survey of needs and problems.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the attitudes of general practitioners to central Auckland mental health service provision, and their perceived role and educational needs for clinical management of patients with mental disorders.


METHODS
A postal questionnaire survey of all general practitioners within the Auckland Healthcare (Central Auckland CHE) area.


RESULTS
140 (49%) valid responses were returned from 287 sampled. 94% supported a shared care role with mental health services; 57% considered their role as main case manager to be important. 79% of the general practitioners considered they had insufficient time to manage patients with mental disorders. 69% of respondents reported difficulties receiving information about changes to treatment; 65% were unsure whether patients had a case manager, and 64% reported general difficulties with liaison with the mental health services. Education about a range of mental health issues was sought by three quarters of the group.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey suggested that liaison between general practice and specialist mental health services in central Auckland is poor, but that general practitioners are eager to seek ways to improve the care of people suffering mental disorders.
Falloon
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Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Science, University of Auckland School of Medicine, New Zealand.
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Bensemann
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Kydd
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019090:Case Management; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires