The Interface between Primary Care and Psychiatry: Family Physicians and their Dilemmas with Psychiatric Crises #02-01

V.R. Velamoor, J.D. Mendonca, B. Hennen, A. Grindrod
January 2002

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This study investigated the services family physicians require to effectively handle psychiatric emergencies.  We canvassed family physicians for their views on the crisis or emergency response available to them in 7 geographical regions of Southwestern Ontario: London and the counties of Middlesex, Elgin, Huron, Perth, Oxford and Kent.

A sample of 289 family physicians responded to a survey which comprehensively covered the following areas: gaps in the availability and effectiveness of services, collaborative service models, communication and educational needs of family physicians.  We used focus groups and key informant interviews to highlight areas chosen for study by the survey including:

  1. Existing Resources and Crisis Caseload
  2. Services for Emergency Assessment
  3. Services for “Less Urgent” Psychiatric Crises
  4. Accessibility for Different Age Groups and Diagnoses
  5. Communication Between Physicians and Specialized Services
  6. Openness to Shared-Care Options
  7. Continuing Education that Would Improve Skills in Handling Psychiatric Emergencies
  8. Models of Crisis Response