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GP referrals for counselling: a review and model
Peter Herrington1, Roger Baker, Sarah Gibson
1St. Ann's Hospital, Poole, UK. sirley-golden@hotmail.com
Journal of Interprofessional Care
|July 10, 2003
Summary
Understanding factors influencing general practitioner (GP) referrals to counselling is key. This study models the complex interplay between patient, GP, and external factors in primary care referrals.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Primary Care Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- General practitioner (GP) referrals to counselling are common but influenced by unclear factors.
- Existing literature on referral determinants is inconclusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive literature review on GP referral to counselling.
- To develop a practical model of the referral process for clinicians and counsellors.
Main Methods:
- Computerised literature search in English using keywords: 'patient characteristics', 'counselling', 'primary care', 'referral'.
- Citation searching of relevant articles.
Main Results:
- A model was developed encompassing patient, GP, GP-counsellor relationship, and external factors.
- These factors interact, creating a complex collaborative process between patient, GP, and counsellor.
Conclusions:
- The referral process is multifactorial, involving patient, GP, and external influences.
- A comprehensive model aids understanding of this complex collaborative process.
- Further research is needed to explore these interactions and their consequences.