title: Problem type and referral to HMO mental health treatment.
abstract: The present study examined the cases of 353 patients seen in the outpatient department of psychiatry at a large west coast HMO. Comparisons were made between self-referred and physician-referred patients in the types of problems presented for treatment. Patients with relationship problems were self-referred more than those with adjustment, anxiety, and mood disorders who were more likely to be physician-referred. HMO patients with a self-referral option appear to enter mental health treatment because of relationship problems at a higher rate than their physician-referred counterparts.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Welfare, University of California at Berkeley 94720, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kimball
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Snowden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States