Abstract

The effects of establishing a full multidisciplinary community psychiatric team in central London are described. The nature of referrals, and referrers' satisfaction with the service were examined during two comparable six-month periods, before and after the changes. The number and severity of referrals increased, and referrers were more satisfied with the new service. In contrast to the inter-agency model, the new multidisciplinary team was associated with more appropriate referral of those patients with the greatest need for specialist services. Clinical skill mix in the team and referrer education are the two factors most likely to have promoted these important changes. The key role of the psychiatrist in a full multidisciplinary team who can empower multi-professional case managers in their day-to-day management of severely ill patients is highlighted.

Highlights

  • Satisfaction with the service were examined during two comparable six-month periods, before and after the changes

  • The last forty years have seen a progressive expansion in the number and diversity of commu nity-based mental health agencies, including those provided by community psychiatric nurses, mental health social workers, and through liaison with primary care

  • The risk of specialist services becoming overwhelmed by the demands of mild psychiatric disorders (Donovan, 1982), while services for the severely mentally ill fragment between agencies (Ritchie et cd, 1994) are con siderable

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Satisfaction with the service were examined during two comparable six-month periods, before and after the changes. Little is known of the skill mix a team needs to provide the most effective care to people with severe mental health needs across community and hospital settings. Referral education as a means to promoting better use of specialist services, for instance between primary and secondary care, has been evaluated in a range of settings, and among other factors this evalua gtiuoindelhianses foicnuscehdanignitnegrestserovnicetheuserorsl'e obfehraevfeiorruarl (Effective Health Care, 1994).

Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.