TY - JOUR
KW - Adult
KW - Attitude of Health Personnel
KW - Australia
KW - Community Mental Health Services/manpower/standards
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Physician's Role
KW - Physician-Patient Relations
KW - Physicians, Family/education/psychology/standards
KW - Primary Health Care/methods/standards
KW - Schizophrenia/epidemiology/therapy
AU - V. J. Carr
AU - T. J. Lewin
AU - R. E. Barnard
AU - J. M. Walton
AU - J. L. Allen
AU - P. M. Constable
AU - J. L. Chapman
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: Most general practitioners (GPs) are currently treating a small number of patients with schizophrenia; however, little is known about GPs' experiences in this area. This paper examines the attitudes and roles of Australian GPs in the treatment of schizophrenia and their relationships with specialist services. METHODS: A total of 192 GPs' ratings of possible sources and forms of help for patients with schizophrenia were compared with the ratings of 50 mental health services (MHS) staff and 129 patients. Comparisons within the health professionals were also made in relation to diagnostic and treatment confidence, perceived roles, and typical problems encountered. RESULTS: Perceived helpfulness ratings were reasonably consistent across groups. However, patients tended to rank close family members as more helpful. GPs and MHS staff reported complementary roles, with a shared responsibility for early detection and relapse prevention. Treatment compliance, and communication and accessibility to specialist agencies were identified as major problems. CONCLUSIONS: GPs fulfil a valuable role in the treatment of schizophrenia, which could be enhanced through improved training. Mental health services need to work more effectively with GPs in treating schizophrenia and acknowledge their complementary roles.
BT - Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
C5 - Education & Workforce
CP - 1
CY - Germany
DO - 10.1007/s00127-004-0703-2
IS - 1
JF - Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
N2 - BACKGROUND: Most general practitioners (GPs) are currently treating a small number of patients with schizophrenia; however, little is known about GPs' experiences in this area. This paper examines the attitudes and roles of Australian GPs in the treatment of schizophrenia and their relationships with specialist services. METHODS: A total of 192 GPs' ratings of possible sources and forms of help for patients with schizophrenia were compared with the ratings of 50 mental health services (MHS) staff and 129 patients. Comparisons within the health professionals were also made in relation to diagnostic and treatment confidence, perceived roles, and typical problems encountered. RESULTS: Perceived helpfulness ratings were reasonably consistent across groups. However, patients tended to rank close family members as more helpful. GPs and MHS staff reported complementary roles, with a shared responsibility for early detection and relapse prevention. Treatment compliance, and communication and accessibility to specialist agencies were identified as major problems. CONCLUSIONS: GPs fulfil a valuable role in the treatment of schizophrenia, which could be enhanced through improved training. Mental health services need to work more effectively with GPs in treating schizophrenia and acknowledge their complementary roles.
PP - Germany
PY - 2004
SN - 0933-7954; 0933-7954
SP - 78
EP - 84
EP - 
T1 - Attitudes and roles of general practitioners in the treatment of schizophrenia compared with community mental health staff and patients
T2 - Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
TI - Attitudes and roles of general practitioners in the treatment of schizophrenia compared with community mental health staff and patients
U1 - Education & Workforce
U2 - 15022051
U3 - 10.1007/s00127-004-0703-2
VL - 39
VO - 0933-7954; 0933-7954
Y1 - 2004
ER -