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Integration between primary and secondary services in the care of the severely mentally ill: patients' and general practitioners' views

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Jonathan Bindman ,
Sonia Johnson ,
Steve Wright ,
George Szmukler ,
Paul Bebbington ,
Elizabeth Kuipers  and
Graham Thornicroft
Jonathan Bindman*
Affiliation:
Maudsley Continuing Care Study, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Sonia Johnson
Affiliation:
Maudsley Continuing Care Study, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Steve Wright
Affiliation:
Maudsley Continuing Care Study, Institute of Psychiatry, London
George Szmukler
Affiliation:
Bethlem and Maudsley NHS Trust
Paul Bebbington
Affiliation:
Social and Epidemiology Psychiatry Unit, Institute of Psychiatry
Elizabeth Kuipers
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry
Graham Thornicroft
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
Dr J. Bindman, Maudsley Continuing Care Study, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park. London SE5 8AF. Fax: (0171) 277 1462
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Abstract

Background

Communication between secondary and primary care is an important aspect of continuity of care. We investigated communication between general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatric teams about a representative group of patients with severe mental illness (SMI). We also sought views on GP involvement in care from the patients and their GPs.

Methods

One hundred patients with SMI were randomly selected from those under the care of two psychiatric sector teams in inner London. The patients and their GPs were interviewed.

Results

GPs' knowledge about the care their patients received was limited. Most GPs perceived their role as providing physical care and prescribing. Few patients consulted GPs for mental health care. GPs perceived themselves as less involved in the care of Black Caribbean or Black African patients.

Conclusions

Considerable discontinuities of care between secondary and primary care were identified. GP involvement in the care of patients with SMI appears limited. Better communication is necessary if care is to be shared.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 2 , August 1997 , pp. 169 - 174
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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