[Referral to the psychiatrist in the general hospital: a psychodynamic approach].
BACKGROUND
It is not clear as to the process by which the psychiatrist attracts referrals and the reasons and motivations that doctors have for referring or not. This study describes the modus operandi of referrals to the psychiatrist in the context of a university general hospital.


METHODS
A semi-structured interview was carried out on 50 doctors (35 male, 15 female) from the teaching hospital of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil. Data was analyzed qualitatively, by means of content analysis, according to the psychodynamic approach.


RESULTS
Some referrals need to be worked through in order for the doctor to overcome his resistance. Others are automatic: because something moved him deeply, the doctor directs his anguish and responsibility outside himself, without realizing the motives that lead him to do so.


CONCLUSIONS
Referral is used in a variety of ways and different things are expected of the psychiatrist, all influenced by unconscious aspects of the patient-doctor-specialist triad.
Botega
N J
NJ
Departamento de Psicología Médica y Psiquiatría, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brasil.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D011570:Psychiatry; D012017:Referral and Consultation
Derivaciones al psiquiatra en el hospital general: una visión psicodinámica.