Clinical characteristics and patterns of referral to a primary mental health team: A retrospective study

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction: The Primary Mental Health Team (PMHT) initiative in Victoria began almost 10 years ago, but there has been little evaluation of this important strategy to improve integration between mental health services and primary care. The present study investigated the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients referred to a PMHT in order to guide development of the service and better meet the needs of primary care providers and their patients.Methods: The referral forms (n=153) and assessment records (n=89) of patients referred consecutively to a PMHT over a 12‐month period were investigated in a retrospective file review.Results: Most referrals were from general pra..