Family physicians and psychiatrists. Qualitative study of physicians' views on collaboration.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To understand how to improve collaboration between psychiatrists and family physicians in primary care settings.

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

SETTING:
Catchment area in eastern Montreal, Que.

PARTICIPANTS:
Five FPs and five psychiatrists.

METHOD:
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.

MAIN FINDINGS:
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.

CONCLUSION:
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.

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Author information

Author/s: Lucena, Ricardo J M (RJ); Lesage, Alain (A);

Affiliation: Centre de Recherche Fernand-Seguin, Hôpital Louis-H Lafontaine, 7331 rue Hochelaga, Montreal, QC H1N 3V2.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Canadian family physician Médecin de famille canadien (Can Fam Physician), published in Canada. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-May; vol 48 (issue ) : pp 923-9

Dates: Created 2002/06/10; Completed 2002/07/25; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12053637, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Attitude of Health Personnel
Community Mental Health Services - organization & administration
Cooperative Behavior
Education, Medical, Continuing
Family Practice - education
Humans

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