[The role of the general practitioner in inpatient psychiatric care].
OBJECTIVE
In the light of the increasing importance of the general practitioner as a gatekeeper within the German psychiatric health care system, his/her role needs to be evaluated.


METHODS
On the basis of the psychiatric documentation (DGPPN-BADO) of 4066 patients predictors for referral to inpatient psychiatric care by the general practitioner together with outpatient aftercare were analysed by means of logistic regression models.


RESULTS
18.4% of the patients were referred by a general practitioner, mostly those with an affective disorder (Odds Ratio 4.0) or schizophrenia (OR 3.3), and residents of old people's or nursing homes (OR 3.5). In 49.9% of the patients, aftercare by a general practitioner was recommended - more frequently patients with addictive disease (OR 2.0), pensioners (OR = 1.7) and elderly patients (OR 1.03), more rarely patients with schizophrenia (OR 0.4) or affective disorders (OR 0.7).


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the relatively low referral rate, in-hospital quality management should focus on improving cooperation between psychiatric hospital and GP.
Hübner-Liebermann
B
B
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universität am Bezirksklinikum Regensburg Universitätsstrasse 84, D-93053 Regensburg.
Spiessl
H
H
Rogenhofer
G
G
Cording
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012306:Risk