Family physicians and psychiatrists. Qualitative study of physicians' views on collaboration.
OBJECTIVE
To understand how to improve collaboration between psychiatrists and family physicians in primary care settings.


METHODS
Qualitative study using 10 in-depth interviews and a focus group session.


METHODS
Catchment area in eastern Montreal, Que.


METHODS
Five FPs and five psychiatrists.


METHODS
Ten interviews and a focus group were conducted to identify ways of improving collaboration between FPs and psychiatrists. All session were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Analysts used Atlas.ti to compare findings vertically and horizontally.


RESULTS
Three strategies were identified: communication, continuing medical education (CME) for FPs, and access to consulting psychiatrists. The first two can be implemented by FPs and psychiatrists together, but psychiatrists thought the last one was not feasible due to lack of both time and remuneration for such activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Better communication and CME for FPs in psychiatry can help improve collaboration between FPs and psychiatrists. Increased access to consulting psychiatrists requires substantial alteration in established clinical roles and routines.
Lucena
Ricardo J M
RJ
Centre de Recherche Fernand-Seguin, Hôpital Louis-H Lafontaine, 7331 rue Hochelaga, Montreal, QC H1N 3V2.
Lesage
Alain
A
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education; D011792:Quebec; D012017:Referral and Consultation