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Vol. 54, No. 2, February 2008, pp.232 - 233
Copyright © 2008 by The College of Family Physicians of Canada
Print Short, Web long* |
Collaboration between family physicians and psychologists
What do family physicians know about psychologists’ work?
Jean Grenier, PhDClinical Professor in the School of Psychology and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa in Ontario; a psychologist associated with the Consortium national de formation en santé at the Montfort Hospital; and a Principal Scientist in the C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre at the Élisabeth Bruyère Research Institute in Ottawa
Marie-Hélène Chomienne, MD
Family physician and epidemiologist, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine; a Scientist in the Institute of Population Health at the University of Ottawa and at the Consortium national de formation en santé; and a Principal Scientist in the C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre
Isabelle Gaboury, MSc
Currently completing a doctorate in Population Health at the University of Ottawa
Pierre Ritchie, PhD
Full Professor in the University of Ottawa’s School of Psychology; Secretary-General of the International Union of Psychology; and Executive Director of the Canadian Register for Health Service Providers in Psychology
William Hogg, MD
Director of the C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre; a Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa; a Principal Scientist at the Institute of Population Health; and an Affiliate Scientist at the Ottawa Health Research Institute
Correspondence to: Dr Jean Grenier, Montfort Hospital, 713 Montreal St, Ottawa ON K1K 0T2; telephone 613 746-4621, extension 6005; fax 613 748-4953; e-mailjgrenier{at}uottawa.ca
OBJECTIVE To explore factors affecting collaboration between family physicians and psychologists.
DESIGN Mailed French-language survey.
SETTING Eastern Ontario.
PARTICIPANTS Family physicians practising in the area of the Réseau des services de santé en français de l’Est de l’Ontario.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Physicians’ knowledge and understanding of the qualifications of psychologists and the regulations governing their profession; beliefs regarding the effectiveness of psychological treatments; views on the integration of psychologists into primary care; and factors affecting referrals to psychologists.
RESULTS Of 457 surveys sent, 118 were returned and analyzed (27% of surveys delivered). Most family physicians were well aware that there were evidence-based psychological interventions for mental health and personal difficulties, and some knew that psychological interventions could help with physical conditions. Physicians had some knowledge about the qualifications and training of psychologists. Many physicians reported being uncomfortable providing counseling themselves owing to time constraints, the perception that they were inadequately trained for such work, and personal preferences. The largest barrier to referring patients to psychologists was cost, since services were not covered by public health insurance. Some physicians were deterred from referring by previous experience of not receiving feedback on patients from psychologists. Increased access to clinical psychologists through collaborative care was considered a desirable goal for primary health care.
CONCLUSIONS Family physicians know that there are evidence-based psychological interventions for mental health issues. Psychologists need to communicate better about their credentials and what they can offer, and share their professional opinions and recommendations on referred patients. Physicians would welcome practice-based psychological services and integrated interdisciplinary collaboration as recommended by the Kirby and Romanow commissions, but such collaboration is hampered by the lack of public health insurance coverage.
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