THE ROLE OF GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS IN MENTAL-HEALTH-CARE - A SURVEY OFNEEDS AND PROBLEMS

Objective. To assess the attitudes of general practitioners to central Auckland mental health service provision, and their perceived role an d educational needs for clinical management of patients with mental di sorders. Method. A postal questionnaire survey of all general practiti oners within the Auckland Healthcare (Central Auckland CHE) area. Resu lts. 140 (49%) valid responses were returned from 287 sampled. 94% sup ported a shared care role with mental health services; 57% considered their role as main case manager to be important. 79% of the general pr actitioners considered they had insufficient time to manage patients w ith mental disorders. 69% of respondents reported difficulties receivi ng information about changes to treatment; 65% were unsure whether pat ients had a case manager, and 64% reported general difficulties with l iaison with the mental health services. Education about a range of men tal health issues was sought by three quarters of the group.Conclusion . This survey suggested that liaison between general practice and spec ialist mental health services in central Auckland is poor, but that ge neral practitioners are eager to seek ways to improve the care of peop le suffering mental disorders.