Family physicians and psychiatrists. Qualitative study of physicians' views on collaboration.

OBJECTIVE To understand how to improve collaboration between psychiatrists and family physicians in primary care settings. DESIGN Qualitative study using 10 in-depth interviews and a focus group session. SETTING Catchment area in eastern Montreal, Que. PARTICIPANTS Five FPs and five psychiatrists. METHOD Ten interviews and a focus group were conducted to identify ways of improving collaboration between FPs and psychiatrists. All session were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Analysts used Atlas.ti to compare findings vertically and horizontally. MAIN FINDINGS Three strategies were identified: communication, continuing medical education (CME) for FPs, and access to consulting psychiatrists. The first two can be implemented by FPs and psychiatrists together, but psychiatrists thought the last one was not feasible due to lack of both time and remuneration for such activity. CONCLUSION Better communication and CME for FPs in psychiatry can help improve collaboration between FPs and psychiatrists. Increased access to consulting psychiatrists requires substantial alteration in established clinical roles and routines.