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.
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.
Authors: Nils Gutacker; Anne R Mason; Tony Kendrick; Maria Goddard; Hugh Gravelle; Simon Gilbody; Lauren Aylott; June Wainwright; Rowena Jacobs Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2015-04-20 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Evangelos Kontopantelis; Ivan Olier; Claire Planner; David Reeves; Darren M Ashcroft; Linda Gask; Tim Doran; Siobhan Reilly Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2015-12-16 Impact factor: 2.692