The Family Physician's Role in Inpatient Psychiatric Care

Several studies have confirmed the high incidence of emotional disturbance in the community and the corresponding large percentage of psychiatric problems seen in an outpatient setting by family physicians. Such information does not exist for the family physician's role in inpatient psychiatric care. Inpatient care by family physicians with an interest in psychiatry is a natural progression in the continuity of care. In rural Manitoba, family physicians provide most psychiatric inpatient care. In urban Manitoba, fewer opportunities exist for family physicians to practice in an inpatient psychiatric setting. A unit in an urban hospital, where both psychiatrists and family doctors provide psychiatric care, is described with special attention to the type of patient seen by the family physician, the multidisciplinary team approach, and the consultation process.