Rated casemix of general practitioner referrals to practice counsellors and clinical psychologists: a retrospective survey of a year's caseload.

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  • Author(s): Cape J;Cape J; Parham A
  • Source:
    The British journal of medical psychology [Br J Med Psychol] 2001 Jun; Vol. 74 (Pt 2), pp. 237-46.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: British Psychological Society Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0370640 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0007-1129 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00071129 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Br J Med Psychol Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Letchworth Eng : British Psychological Society
      Original Publication: London [etc.]
    • Subject Terms:
      Counseling* ; Primary Health Care* ; Psychology, Clinical* ; Referral and Consultation* ; Workload*; Mental Disorders/*therapy; Acute Disease ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Mental Disorders/diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Surveys and Questionnaires
    • Abstract:
      Although evidence-based guidelines are beginning to be produced as to which psychological therapies might be appropriate for which patients, little is known about how general medical practitioners (GPs) in practice distribute referrals between different psychological therapy services. In a retrospective survey, 19 practice counsellors and 10 clinical psychologists from the same geographical area rated a year's caseload of GP referrals using identical data collection methods. Rated casemix was found to be broadly similar, although practice counsellors rated relationship and bereavement problems as more common in their caseloads (totalling 986 patients), and clinical psychologists rated panic disorder, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive problems as more common in their caseloads (totalling 320 patients). Depression and anxiety reactions were the most common problems rated in both groups, but the clinical psychologist cases of depression were rated as more severe and complex. Where differences were found, they may have reflected the different ways that counsellors and clinical psychologists conceptualize cases rather than actual differences in casemix. The results are discussed in relation to evidence-based guideline recommendations about cases appropriate to be seen by practice counsellors and by clinical psychologists in primary and secondary care, and the need to adapt such guidance to local services and skills of practitioners.
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20010717 Date Completed: 20020124 Latest Revision: 20151119
    • Publication Date:
      20231215
    • Accession Number:
      11453174