Stavrou, Stavros; (2005) GP referrals to on-site clinical psychologists and counsellors: Analysing the decisions behind referring and not referring patients. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The literature review examines the research on general practitioner (GP) referral rates and referral decisions. It explores the variation in GP referral rates to medical specialists, addressing the shift from quantitative to qualitative methodologies in studies that have examined GP referral decisions. The final section focuses on GP referrals to mental health professionals and looks at the effects of on-site mental health professionals on GP referrals. The empirical paper is a qualitative study examining GP decisions to refer, or not refer, patients suffering from minor mental illness to on-site clinical psychologists and counsellors. 14 GPs were asked to compare and contrast matched patient pairs, consisting of a patient who had been referred paired with another similar patient the general practitioner was treating. Three main themes of Patient Choice, Patient Benefit and GP Capacity to Help were identified, each including factors for and against referral. The critical appraisal reflects on what prompted this research, examines the research process, its strengths and weaknesses, and considers what might have been done differently. The clinical implications of the study are then discussed, alongside possible avenues for future research. Finally, it ends with a personal reflection on how this project has influenced my views concerning qualitative research and my clinical practice.

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