PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE PHYSICIANS TREATMENT OF PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS - IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL-WORK

This study explores the extent to which primary care physicians serve as gatekeepers for the treatment of psychosocial problems and the exte nt to which they have contact with social workers. We also attempted t o identify, physician variables related to gatekeeping and amount of c ontact with social workers. Data from a national study of the role of primary care physicians in Israel were used. About one-third of the ph ysicians had regular contact with social workers, one-quarter had cont act less often, and about one-third almost never had contact. Variable s associated With gatekeeping for psychosocial problems included havin g a large caseload specializing in family medicine, practicing in a ru ral location, and being under age 55. Variables associated with social work contact were affiliation with the largest health maintenance org anization and specialization in family medicine.