SERVICE PROVISION FOR PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA .2. ROLE OF THE GENERAL-PRACTITIONER

Background This second report of a study of service provision for pati ents with schizophrenia describes patients' contact with general pract ice and general practitioners' (GPs') views of the mental health servi ces. Method A postal questionnaire was sent to the GPs, and patients' primary care records were examined. Results Data were collected on 131 subjects. The majority of patients (96) (73%) were in regular contact with their GP and were consulting for many different reasons; 27 (21% ) were posing particular difficulties for the primary care team. GPs r eported that 27 (21%) patients required additional support and that th e care arrangements for 50 (38%)patients could be improved if alterati ons were made to the roles of the professionals already involved. Conc lusions GPs are central to service provision for patients with schizop hrenia. Both additional resources and changes in working practices are required to improve patient care. The service implications of these f indings are discussed.