GP referrals for counselling: a review and model

Considerable efforts have been made to describe and evaluate general practitioner (GP) referral of patients to counsellors, although the literature describing contributory factors in the referral process is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review and present the information in a cohesive and practical model that might be of interest to both doctors and counsellors. An English language computerised literature search was conducted. The title or abstract contained any, or a combination of the following keywords: 'patient characteristics', 'counselling', 'primary care', and 'referral'. A further search was conducted based on relevant articles referenced in the above selection. A model was developed that showed an array of factors related to the patient, the GP, the GP-counsellor relationship, and external variables. Their interaction resulted in a complex collaborative process between the patient, GP and counsellor. These and their consequences were discussed, along with future research needs.