First care givers of mentally ill patients: a multicenter study

Pathways to psychiatric care were evaluated among three hundred and eighty four first-contact psychiatric patients from five socio-culturally different regions of India by a modified version of World Health Organization encounter form for 'pathways in psychiatric care'. Concerning first caregivers, out of 384 respondents 34.1% had chosen the psychiatrists, 29.4% the general practitioners and 26% had chosen faith healers and exorcists. Choice for the first caregiver was not influenced by gender differences, literacy status and family type. Mostly the subjects hailing from rural areas and those presenting with somatic symptoms chose psychiatrist as their first caregivers.