The case-conferencing project: a first step towards shared care between general practitioners and a mental health service.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were: (i) to improve general practitioners' knowledge of the mental disorders they commonly treat, and to increase their confidence in managing people with these disorders; and (ii) to increase general practitioners' familiarity with the Logan-Beaudesert Mental Health Service.


METHODS
Eleven general practitioners met with psychiatrists from the Logan-Beaudesert Mental Health Service in six 2-hour sessions held at monthly intervals. Each session comprised a teaching component, a consumer interview and a case-conference. Outcomes were measured using an objective test of general practitioners' knowledge, a subjective test of their confidence in dealing with mental health problems, and satisfaction surveys for participating consumers, general practitioners and psychiatrists.


RESULTS
On the objective test, the scores of 10 out of the 11 general practitioners improved (p < 0.05). On the subjective test, the ranked scores improved in nine out of the 11 cases (p < 0.05). Consumers, general practitioners and psychiatrists expressed their satisfaction with the format and content of the course.


CONCLUSIONS
Having improved the knowledge of a group of general practitioners who are familiar with the functioning of the Logan-Beaudesert Mental Health Service, the stage is now set to proceed to the next step: the shared-care project.
Davies
J W
JW
Logan-Beaudesert Mental Health Service, Queensland, Australia.
Ward
W K
WK
Groom
G L
GL
Wild
A J
AJ
Wild
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004493:Education; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011570:Psychiatry; D011613:Psychotherapy