The GP as a psychiatric community resource.

One hundred pyschiatric inpatients were interviewed to determine their normal use of a family doctor and opinion about his value in aftercare. The ward team made a similar decision and when appropriate, a family doctor was approached about his willingness to undertake the aftercare. There were 54 patients who had a family doctor, 38 felt he could assist in aftercare. By contrast, the ward team seldom considered referral appropriate and family doctors were initially hostile to the concept. The demographic variables and attitudes underlying the views of patients, staff, and family doctors are discussed together with their implications for community care.