E. Collins et al., MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY BY GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS - REFERRAL FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS, British journal of clinical psychology, 36, 1997, pp. 445-448
This study investigates referrals for psychological, therapies in gene
ral practitioners (GPs) from five catchment areas. The results show th
at 93 per cent of GPs would consider referring elderly patients for ps
ychological help but only 44 per cent had done so and one in three GPs
were unfamiliar with the psychological therapies available. When GPs
were asked to select a psychological treatment for depression, 60 per
cent chose counselling compared to 21 per cent who chose cognitive-beh
avioural therapy (CBT). Female GPs particularly favoured counselling.
Experience in psychiatry was associated with selection of CBT. The res
ults show that GP training and further education should emphasize psyc
hological therapies. This should make referrals more appropriate and i
mprove patient care.