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The case-conferencing project: a first step towards shared care between general practitioners and a mental health
J W Davies1, W K Ward, G L Groom
1Logan-Beaudesert Mental Health Service, Queensland, Australia.
Objectives:
The objectives of this study were: (i) to improve general practitioners' knowledge of the mental disorders they commonly treat, and to increase their confidence in managing people with these disorders; and (ii) to increase general practitioners' familiarity with the Logan-Beaudesert Mental Health Service.
Method:
Eleven general practitioners met with psychiatrists from the Logan-Beaudesert Mental Health Service in six 2-hour sessions held at monthly intervals. Each session comprised a teaching component, a consumer interview and a case-conference. Outcomes were measured using an objective test of general practitioners' knowledge, a subjective test of their confidence in dealing with mental health problems, and satisfaction surveys for participating consumers, general practitioners and psychiatrists.
Results:
On the objective test, the scores of 10 out of the 11 general practitioners improved (p < 0.05). On the subjective test, the ranked scores improved in nine out of the 11 cases (p < 0.05). Consumers, general practitioners and psychiatrists expressed their satisfaction with the format and content of the course.
Conclusions:
Having improved the knowledge of a group of general practitioners who are familiar with the functioning of the Logan-Beaudesert Mental Health Service, the stage is now set to proceed to the next step: the shared-care project.