Collaboration between general practitioners and a child and adolescent mental health service.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this project was to develop a collaborative working relationship between general practitioners and a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS).


METHODS
The project focused on changing the policies and culture within CAMHS to be more GP aware and inclusive. The project also provided GPs with an accredited training package on common mental health problems. The impact of the project was determined through pre and post project surveys and interviews with GPs and mental health workers (case managers) respectively.


RESULTS
There was a two-fold increase in communication between the two sectors and a 120% increase in shared care arrangements. There was a 144% improvement in GPs' perceptions of the helpfulness of public CAMHS.


CONCLUSIONS
Implications for future collaboration are discussed. The results of this pilot study are encouraging and warrant replication and validation using standardised instruments.


CONCLUSIONS
To create, enhance and extend the working relationships between GPs and public CAMHS requires strategies for change in both sectors.
Mildred
H
H
Maroondah Hospital Area Mental Health Service, Victoria. helenmil@deakin.edu.au
Brann
P
P
Luk
E S
ES
Fisher
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D019090:Case Management; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014739:Victoria