Psychiatrists in primary care: the general practitioner viewpoint

Abstract

Within the past few decades, a growing number of psychiatrists in the UK have moved their outpatient clinics out of their hospital bases and have established liaison-attachment clinics in primary care settings within their catchment areas. This study reports the views of the senior general practitioners who have access to such clinics in their practices. The majority described a significant alteration in the nature of their relationships with the specialists. This, together with the opportunity for general practitioners to become involved in integrated management approaches, is believed to significantly improve continuity of patient care.