GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS OPINION OF A NEW PSYCHIATRY OF OLD-AGE SERVICE

Objective: To evaluate the reaction of local general practitioners to a new psychiatry of old age service 10 months following its inception. Method: An anonymous questionnaire was sent to all GPs in the catchme nt area of the Service. Questions asked the opinion of GPs on structur e and process of the Service, and also asked for suggestions as to how the Service could be improved. Results were analysed using the SPSS p ackage for Windows. Results: From a total of 101, 50% of GPs responded . Of these 78% had referred patients, and indicated a good level of sa tisfaction with the response of the service. A substantial number of r ural GPs expressed an interest in being present at domiciliary visits. Aspects of communication following the referral of a patient were rat ed quite favourably. GPs identified domiciliary visits and the respite programme as the most important elements of the service, and were lea st impressed by the facility for admission of patients with a function al mental illness to the acute psychiatric unit. The majority of GPs f elt their patients did not have any reservations about being seen by a psychiatrist, but 72% of rural GPs felt the location of the service b ase (in the city) was a problem. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that GPs are reasonably satisfied with the initial service off ered by the new specialty. Future service developments must address is sues highlighted such as access to the service for patients living out side the city, improving the inpatient facilities for patients with a functional mental illness, and improving communication with GPs.