Collaborative care in the United Kingdom.

Counselors now work in about half of all family medical practices in the United Kingdom. This article discusses the reasons for the rapid growth of this new service. Increasing collaboration between counselors and family physicians is already having major effects on health care costs and on existing mental health services. Current problems that hinder further development are identified. Solutions are proposed to help counselors who work collaboratively with family physicians and other members of the primary health care team deliver effective and efficient interventions.