A survey of residency-trained family physicians and their referral of psychosocial problems.

Background: Communication between family physicians and other specialists has been identified as a central component of the referral process. This survey examines the referral process between family physicians and psychiatrists.

Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all 167 graduates of a family practice residency program in Ontario; 154 (92.2%) responded. The questionnaire requested information from the family physicians about the frequency of, reason for, and satisfaction with referrals they made to psychiatrists.

Results: In the previous year, 41 percent of family physicians had regularly referred patients to a psychiatrist. The main reasons for referral were for assessment and advice on patient management and/or for ongoing psychiatric care. Family physicians referred to one of several psychiatrists, depending on the patient's problem. The primary method of interphysician communication was a personal conversation between the family physician and the psychiatrist. Only 50% of family physicians were satisfied with the assistance provided by psychiatrists to whom they referred patients, and only 40% were satisfied with feedback they received from these consultants.

Conclusions: The high degree of dissatisfaction suggests that improvement is needed in the interactions between family physicians and psychiatrists.