Shared care between specialised psychiatric services and primary care: the experiences and expectations of General Practitioners in Ireland

Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2012 Oct;16(4):293-9. doi: 10.3109/13651501.2012.667115. Epub 2012 Apr 17.

Abstract

Objective. The study aims to explore the views of General Practitioners in Ireland on shared care between specialised psychiatric services and primary care. Method. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and posted to 400 randomly selected General Practitioners working in Ireland. Results. Of the respondents, 189 (94%) reported that they would support a general policy on shared care between primary care and specialised psychiatric services for patients who are stable on their treatment. However, 124 (61.4%) reported that they foresaw difficulties for patients in implementing such a policy including: a concern that primary care is not adequately resourced with allied health professionals to support provision of psychiatric care (113, 53.2%); a concern this would result in increased financial burden on some patients (89, 48.8%); a lack of adequate cooperation between primary care and specialised mental health services (84, 41.8%); a concern that some patients may lack confidence in GP care (55, 27.4%); and that primary care providers are not adequately trained to provide psychiatric care (29, 14.4% ). Conclusion. The majority of GPs in Ireland would support a policy of shared care of psychiatric patients; however they raise significant concerns regarding practical implications of such a policy in Ireland.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Community Mental Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated
  • Female
  • General Practice / organization & administration*
  • General Practitioners / psychology*
  • Health Policy
  • Humans
  • Ireland
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Primary Health Care / organization & administration*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires