[Community psychiatry in Copenhagen. Referrals during the first four years].

The purpose was to estimate the number of referrals and patients, referral source, problems, diagnoses, demographic data and treatment offered in a community mental health centre. All referrals were systematically registered for statistical purposes. The referral rate stabilised at around 11 promille, point prevalence about 13 promille and one year prevalence above 20 promille. The centre was able to offer treatment to the majority of the patients referred. General practice referred about half of the patients, a quarter were self-referred and one sixth each came from the social welfare services and the hospital. The number of patients referred from each GP varied considerably. As seen in other community mental health centres, patients with non-psychotic illness (2/3) and women (2/3) were in the majority. The older age groups were under-represented, and the social situation among the patients was worse than the general level in the district. It is concluded that a community mental health centre can fulfil the need for psychiatric treatment in an area and at the same time have the chronic psychotic patients as the priority group.