Extent and determinants of general practitioner referrals and contacts with mental health care providers

Abstract

In light of current reforms designed to enhance primary care and service integration, this study assesses variables associated with referrals of general practitioners (N = 398) to and their contacts with mental health care providers. Referrals appeared to be more closely related to the case complexity of patients and GPs' individual characteristics (i.e., perceived importance of interorganizational relationships, experience and expertise in mental health), whereas contacts were linked more closely to issues of system quality and access to a shared-care model. Our findings (a) support the development of collaborative models to enhance relationships between mental health care providers and GPs, and (b) promote greater availability and diversity of mental health care services.