Abstract

Three hundred randomly selected fund-holding general practitioners were sent a questionnaire that asked them to indicate their priorities for child mental hearth services. They were also asked to rate their local child mental health services; 210 (70%) returned completed questionnaires. Items accorded the highest priority by the largest number of GPs included written communication, short waiting time following referral, sensitivity to patient's cultural background, child sexual abuse services, and mental handicap services. Child psychiatrists were seen as the most essential members of multidisciplinary teams, and family therapy was the most popular choice of treatment. Financial considerations did not appear to dictate GPs' choices. About half of respondents rated their local services as barely satisfactory, unsatisfactory or extremely unsatisfactory.

Highlights

  • Threehundred randomly selected fund-holding general practitioners were sent a questionnaire that asked them to indicate their priorities for child mental health services

  • The appointment of fund-holding practices who are direct purchasers has made it possible for GPs to influence the pattern of specialist services. Their influence is bound to increase with the withdrawal of opposition to fund-holding by the General Medical Services Committee (GMSC) and because as from April 1994, 40% of GPs became fund-holders

  • This is the first study in the UK to determine fund-holders' priorities for child mental health services

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Summary

Introduction

Threehundred randomly selected fund-holding general practitioners were sent a questionnaire that asked them to indicate their priorities for child mental health services. This is the first study in the UK to determine fund-holders' priorities for child mental health services. The questionnaire had a list of services, treatments and professionals relevant to child mental health.

Results
Conclusion
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