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Service provision for people with schizophrenia

II. Role of the general practitioner

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

F. H. Lang ,
E. C. Johnstone  and
G. D. Murray
F. H. Lang*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital
E. C. Johnstone
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital
G. D. Murray
Affiliation:
Medical Statistics Unit, Edinburgh University
*
Dr F. H. Lang, Department of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park. Edinburgh EH10 5HF
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Abstract

Background

This second report of a study of service provision for patients with schizophrenia describes patients' contact with general practice and general practitioners' (GPs’) views of the mental health services.

Method

A postal questionnaire was sent to the GPs, and patients' primary care records were examined.

Results

Data were collected on 131 subjects. The majority of patients (96) (73%) were in regular contact with their GP and were consulting for many different reasons; 27 (21%) were posing particular difficulties for the primary care team. GPs reported that 27 (21%) patients required additional support and that the care arrangements for 50 (38%) patients could be improved if alterations were made to the roles of the professionals already involved.

Conclusions

GPs are central to service provision for patients with schizophrenia. Both additional resources and changes in working practices are required to improve patient care. The service implications of these findings are discussed.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 2 , August 1997 , pp. 165 - 168
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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