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Can Fam Physician
Vol. 54, No. 1, January 2008, p.57
Copyright © 2008 by The College of Family Physicians of Canada
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Collaboration in caring for psychiatric inpatients

Family physicians team up with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses

Dara Behroozi, MB BS CCFP
Director of the Family Practice ward at Saint Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC, and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia

Garey Mazowita, MD CCFP FCFP
Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Providence Health Care and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family Practice at the University of British Columbia

Michael D. Davis
Master’s student and a Research and Evaluation Officer in Learning and Career Development at Vancouver Coastal Health

Correspondence to: Mr Michael D. Davis, Learning and Career Development, Vancouver General Hospital, Heather Pavilion D3, Rm 442, 855 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9; e-mailmichael.davis{at}vch.ca

PROBLEM BEING ADDRESSED The standard organization of psychiatric inpatient care at our hospital involved consultations with various specialist physicians visiting the psychiatry wards to assess patients’ medical needs and to provide appropriate interventions. We thought that this type of clinical care pathway might not be leading to the best integration and timeliness of patient care, the most efficient use of specialist resources, or the least cost to the health care system.

OBJECTIVE OF PROGRAM To initiate a protocol that would involve an FP visiting all the psychiatry wards daily (on weekdays) to conduct medical consultations. We hoped this program would improve the timeliness and integration of patient care, reduce patients’ length of stay in hospital, and alter the pattern of specialist consultations.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The FP consulted on patients referred by psychiatrists and registered psychiatric nurses; carried out assessments; initiated treatment of common medical problems; referred to other specialists when necessary; and made arrangements for follow-up care as appropriate.

CONCLUSION The FP consultations improved patient care in several ways, was highly valued by staff, and modified the pattern of specialist consultations on participating psychiatry wards.






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Copyright © 2008 by The College of Family Physicians of Canada.