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Evaluation of a primary care counselling service in Dorset
1Research and Development Support Unit, Institute of Health and Community Studies, Bournemouth.
Background:
Research into the effectiveness of counselling in primary care is rare. This study attempts to provide a thorough evaluation of the effects of a new counselling service introduced throughout Dorset.
Aim:
To evaluate the impact of counselling on client symptomatology, self-esteem, and quality of life. The effect of counselling on drug prescribing, referrals to other mental health professionals, and client and general practitioner (GP) satisfaction were also assessed.
Method:
All new clients referred for counselling were asked to complete and return questionnaires before and after counselling. A total of 385 clients took part in the study. The first and second assessments were compared statistically. Clients were ascribed a psychiatric diagnosis using a simplified version of DSM-IIIR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association). GPs' views of the service were determined using a specially designed questionnaire. Drug data were obtained from the Prescription Pricing Authority and referral statistics from Dorset HealthCare National Health Service (NHS) Trust.
Results:
The number of psychiatric symptoms and their severity were significantly reduced by counselling. There were no significant differences in the prescription of anxiolytic/hypnotic and anti-depressant medication between matched practices with and without counsellors. The presence of a counsellor did not affect the rate of referral to other mental health professionals. Clients and GPs valued the service highly.
Conclusions:
The Psychology Managed Counselling Service is an effective method of running a counselling service and is well received by both clients and GPs. Counselled clients improved significantly on several measures.