'A really good GP': Engagement and satisfaction with general practice care of people with severe and persistent mental illness.

Abstract

People with severe and persistent mental illness have increased psychosocial and physical morbidity. This study sought to understand patient engagement and satisfaction with general practice. A survey study of people attending community mental health clinics included Likert scale items about general practice engagement, satisfaction, access enablers and attendance challenges. Of 82 respondents, 85% had a regular general practitioner (GP), and 99% had visited a GP at least once in the past 12months (32% had visited a GP >10times). Eighty-eight per cent of respondents were satisfied with their current GP's care. Significantly more respondents were satisfied with the GP's focus on their physical than their mental health concerns (95% versus 76% respectively, P <0.05). Bulk billing, timely appointments and proximity wereenablers of attendance for most respondents. The majority of participants disagreed that making, keeping or waiting for GP appointments was difficult. Closer collaboration with treating psychiatrists and case managers may increase GP engagement with patients' mental healthcare.