PROBLEM TYPE AND REFERRAL TO HMO MENTAL-HEALTH TREATMENT

The present study examined the cases of 353 patients seen in the outpa tient department of psychiatry at a large west coast HMO. Comparisons were made between self-referred and physician-referred patients in the types of problems presented for treatment. Patients with relationship problems were self-referred more than those with adjustment, anxiety, and mood disorders who were more likely to be physician-referred. HMO patients with a self-referral option appear to enter mental health tr eatment because of relationship problems at a higher rate than their p hysician-referred counterparts.