TY - JOUR
T1 - The Hidden Mental Health Network
T2 - Treatment of Mental Illness by Nonpsychiatrist Physicians
AU - Schurman, Rachel A.
AU - Kramer, Peter D.
AU - Mitchell, Janet B.
PY - 1985/1
Y1 - 1985/1
N2 - Building on a previous study, this report explores in more detail one aspect of the “de facto mental health services system,” the treatment of mental disorders by nonpsychiatrist physicians in office-based practice. Data from the 1980 and 1981 National Ambulatory Medical Care surveys indicate that almost one half of all office visits to a physician resulting in a mental disorder diagnosis are to nonpsychiatrists, mostly in primary care. Nonpsychiatrists' mentally ill patients tend to be less seriously ill than patients of psychiatrists, and are more likely to come in with physical problems. They are also significantly more likely to be female, to be nonwhite, and to be elderly. Physicians treating these patients appear to be providing a different product than psychiatrists are, spending less time with patients, but using a wider range of diagnostic and therapeutic services during each office visit.
AB - Building on a previous study, this report explores in more detail one aspect of the “de facto mental health services system,” the treatment of mental disorders by nonpsychiatrist physicians in office-based practice. Data from the 1980 and 1981 National Ambulatory Medical Care surveys indicate that almost one half of all office visits to a physician resulting in a mental disorder diagnosis are to nonpsychiatrists, mostly in primary care. Nonpsychiatrists' mentally ill patients tend to be less seriously ill than patients of psychiatrists, and are more likely to come in with physical problems. They are also significantly more likely to be female, to be nonwhite, and to be elderly. Physicians treating these patients appear to be providing a different product than psychiatrists are, spending less time with patients, but using a wider range of diagnostic and therapeutic services during each office visit.
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U2 - 10.1001/archpsyc.1985.01790240091010
DO - 10.1001/archpsyc.1985.01790240091010
M3 - Article
C2 - 3966857
AN - SCOPUS:0021960988
SN - 0003-990X
VL - 42
SP - 89
EP - 94
JO - Archives of General Psychiatry
JF - Archives of General Psychiatry
IS - 1
ER -