Referrals to psychiatrists - Assessing the communication interface betweenpsychiatry and primary care

The Study of Outpatient Referral Patterns was conducted in 1998 to examine the nature of the communication relationship between psychiatrists and prim ary care physicians regarding outpatient referrals. Nationally representati ve psychiatrists were surveyed (N = 542) regarding their aggregate experien ce with outpatient referrals from non-psychiatric physicians in the previou s 60 clays. Data regarding frequency and type of information and mode of co mmunication were gathered. Results indicate that primary care physicians re present a significant source of referrals to psychiatrists and that psychia trists are generally satisfied with the communication interface with the re ferring physicians. Psychiatrists' level of satisfaction was related to the quantity and quality of information provided by referring physicians.