De positie van de eerstelijnspsycholoog in de eerstelijns-ggz.

Background: In the Netherlands, the general practitioner (GP) and the primary care psychologist are considered gatekeepers to specialized mental health services. Because primary mental health services are currently in a state of change, we investigated the role of primary care psychologists in the care of patients with mental health problems. Method: Data from anonymous patient records for 2009 were retrieved from the Netherlands Information Network of General Practice and the Netherlands Information Network Primary Care Psychologists databases. Results: GPs referred older patients to mental health services less often than they did younger patients. Patients referred to a primary care psychologist tended to have anxiety and stress-related problems more often than did patients referred to more specialized mental health services. Patients with social problems were more often referred to social services or a social psychiatric nurse. Patients with interpersonal problems tended to consult the primary care psychologist on their own initiative, whereas patients with mood-, psychosomatic-, and adjustment problems were often referred by a GP. Conclusion: This study describes the problems treated by primary care psychologists and the differences between primary care psychologists, GPs, and other mental health disciplines. People who see a primary care psychologist form a specific group, in particular because they seek help on their own initiative. (aut. ref.)