Referral Patterns and Training Needs in Psychiatry among Primary Care Physicians in Canadian Rural/Remote Areas

This study examined the referral patterns of rural/remote primary care physicians (PCPs) as well as their needs and interests for further training in child/adolescent mental health.

Surveys were mailed to Canadian rural/remote PCPs requesting participants' demographic information, training and qualifications, referral patterns, and identification of needs and interests for continuing medical education (CME).

PCPs were most likely to refer to mental health programs, and excessive wait times are the most common deterrent. Major reasons for referral were to obtain recommendations regarding medications and assessing non-responsive patients. While PCPs expressed higher levels of confidence in making appropriate referrals, they were much less confident in their knowledge and skills in managing mental health problems. Professional development in child/adolescent psychiatry is a moderate or highly perceived CME need. Overall, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was the most commonly chosen topic of interest and CME in the community was preferred, but some regional differences emerged.

PCPs viewed limited community resources and self-identified gaps in skills as barriers to service provision. Professional development in child and adolescent mental health for PCPs by preferred modes appears desired.