Referral to Community Mental Health Teams in the UK
Author Information
Author(s): Chew-Graham Carolyn, Slade Mike, Montana Carolyn, Stewart Mairi, Gask Linda
Primary Institution: University of Manchester
Hypothesis
What are the perspectives of referrers and CMHTs on the referral process?
Conclusion
CMHTs struggle with variable GP expertise and flexible interpretation of referral criteria.
Supporting Evidence
- CMHTs describe struggling to deal with GPs who are perceived as having variable expertise.
- Referral criteria are interpreted flexibly by CMHT managers and psychiatrists.
- GPs expressed confusion over the criteria for referring patients to CMHTs.
Takeaway
This study looks at how doctors decide who gets help from mental health teams and how that process can be confusing.
Methodology
Qualitative study with interviews and recordings of referral allocation meetings.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in decision-making based on prior knowledge of GPs and their referral history.
Limitations
Non-consent from many CMHT members limited data usefulness; small number of psychiatrists interviewed.
Participant Demographics
Participants included GPs, CMHT team leaders, and psychiatrists from diverse urban populations.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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