PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY AND REFERRAL IN GENERAL PRACTICE—A SURVEY OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS IN BANGALORE CITY4

60 General practitioners having M.B., B.S. qualification from all age group practicing in Bangalore city's centrally located locality were personally visited and a specially designed proforma was administered to find out whether they come across Psychiatric patients in their general practice, if yes what percentage of their practice ? Whether they referred any cases for Psychiatric consultation, what factors determined their decision to refer a case to the psychiatrist. 9% General practitioners reportedly were seeing Psychiatric cases, on an average 10% of total patients seen by GP's were suffering from Psychiatric illness. 85% GP's had referred cases for Psychiatric consultation and factors which determined GP's decision to refer a case were : Request from patient to see a Specialist, patient was excited and unmanageable, pressure from relatives of patients serious impirsonment of patients' working capacity, patient finds it more acceptable to be told by a Specialist that he has nervous trouble, lack of emotional support from family of patient. Less commonly given reasons inlcuded inability to diagnose a case, for confirmation of diagnosis and treatment, for detailed examination and investigation, for better managment, resistant casses and lack of time to deal with Psychiatric problems. These findings have been discussed and their implications in planning further services have been highlighted.