General practitioners as a potential interface between patients and psychotherapists with regard to psychological and psychosomatic problems

Abstract

This study deals with the role played by general practitioners in referring patients to psychotherapists. On the basis of the assumption that general practitioners are frequently the first “port of call" when patients suffer from psychological or emotional problems, this study sets out to explore how physicians and psychotherapists cooperate. In May 2005, 66 general practitioners were interviewed by using semistructured questionnaires. These expert interviews focused on the question of how often, according to the physicians polled, psychological or psychosomatic problems that require treatment occur in their patients and which measures these findings entail on the part of these physicians. The study revolves around modalities of cooperating with psychotherapists. Furthermore, it addresses the issue of satisfaction with psychotherapy and the provision of information relating to it. The study also gauges the general practitioners' attitude towards psychotherapy.

Keywords General practitioners; Conditions for psychotherapy; Referrals; Psychological and psychosomatic problems; Cooperation between physicians and psychotherapists