BMJ  2005;330 (14 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7500.0-c

People with mental illness prefer to be treated by their GP

People with serious mental illness prefer to consult their own general practitioner rather than be referred to a specialist in mental health. Lester and colleagues (p 1122) interviewed 45 patients with a serious mental illness, 39 general practitioners, and eight practice nurses, and found that most patients viewed primary care as the cornerstone of their care, whereas general practitioners felt that their lack of specialist knowledge limited their useful involvement in care. The patients valued continuity of care, listening skills, willingness to learn, and optimism in treatment more than specific knowledge about mental health.

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Patients' and health professionals' views on primary care for people with serious mental illness: focus group study

Helen Lester, Jonathan Q Tritter, and Helen Sorohan
BMJ 2005 330: 1122. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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