Nancy Sturman1, Ryan Williams2, Remo Ostini3, Marianne Wyder4, Dan Siskind5. 1. MBChB, FRACGP, BA (Hons), Associate Professor, Primary Care Clinical Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Queensland, Qld. 2. MBBS, FRACGP, BA, BEd, General Practitioner, Stonewall Medical Centre, The University of Queensland, Qld. 3. BA, GradDipPsych, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, Rural Clinical School Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Qld. 4. BA, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, Addiction and Mental Health Services, Metro South Health, Qld; Research Fellow, Hopkins Centre, Griffith University, Qld. 5. MBBS, MPH, PhD, FRANZCP, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Qld; Clinical Academic Psychiatrist, Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services, Qld.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: People with severe and persistent mental illness have increased psychosocial and physical morbidity. This study sought to understand patient engagement and satisfaction with general practice. METHOD: A survey study of people attending community mental health clinics included Likert scale items about general practice engagement, satisfaction, access enablers and attendance challenges. RESULTS: Of 82 respondents, 85% had a regular general practitioner (GP), and 99% had visited a GP at least once in the past 12 months (32% had visited a GP >10 times). Eighty-eight per cent of respondents were satisfied with their current GP's care. Significantly more respondents were satisfied with the GP's focus on their physical than their mental health concerns (95% versus 76% respectively, P <0.05). Bulk billing, timely appointments and proximity were enablers of attendance for most respondents. The majority of participants disagreed that making, keeping or waiting for GP appointments was difficult. DISCUSSION: Closer collaboration with treating psychiatrists and case managers may increase GP engagement with patients' mental healthcare.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:People with severe and persistent mental illness have increased psychosocial and physical morbidity. This study sought to understand patient engagement and satisfaction with general practice. METHOD: A survey study of people attending community mental health clinics included Likert scale items about general practice engagement, satisfaction, access enablers and attendance challenges. RESULTS: Of 82 respondents, 85% had a regular general practitioner (GP), and 99% had visited a GP at least once in the past 12 months (32% had visited a GP >10 times). Eighty-eight per cent of respondents were satisfied with their current GP's care. Significantly more respondents were satisfied with the GP's focus on their physical than their mental health concerns (95% versus 76% respectively, P <0.05). Bulk billing, timely appointments and proximity were enablers of attendance for most respondents. The majority of participants disagreed that making, keeping or waiting for GP appointments was difficult. DISCUSSION: Closer collaboration with treating psychiatrists and case managers may increase GP engagement with patients' mental healthcare.