General practice referrals to a community team for mental health in the elderly: information and the mode of referral.
Referrals by general practitioners to a community health in the elderly team by telephone and letter were compared for the information provided. Significantly less information was available to the team when the referral was by letter, particular in the areas of suicidal tendencies, patient telephone number, and possible informants. The implications of these findings are discussed.
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Lewisham and Guy's Mental Health NHS Trust, London.
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D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013689:Telephone