Psychiatric referrals in general practice.

A major option available to the nonpsychiatric physician in dealing with patients who have psychiatric problems is to refer them to psychiatrists. A group of 93 nonpsychiatric physicians indicated that they have positive attitudes toward making such referrals where appropriate, and make extensive use of this mechanism with psychiatric patients. There are, however, great differences of opinion with respect to the appropriateness of psychiatric referrals for neurotic patients, those with alcohol and addiction problems, and those with other personal problems (marital, vocational, etc).