Obstacles in Managing Mental Health Problems for Primary Care Physicians in Hong Kong

Kai Sing Sun; Tai Pong Lam; Kwok Fai Lam; Tak Lam Lo

doi:10.1007/s10488-014-0605-x

Obstacles in Managing Mental Health Problems for Primary Care Physicians in Hong Kong

Kai Sing Sun
, Tai Pong Lam
, Kwok Fai Lam
, Tak Lam Lo

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study investigated the obstacles for primary care physicians (PCPs) to managing mental health problems in Hong Kong. Focus group data collected from PCPs and psychiatrists were used to construct a questionnaire for a quantitative survey with 516 PCPs respondents. The results showed that their commonly perceived obstacles were lack of timely access to public psychiatrists, lack of feedback from both public and private psychiatrists after referrals; as well as patients’ reluctance to be referred. Factor analysis and correlational analysis found that the numbers of mental health patients treated by the PCPs were mainly determined by the PCPs’ own clinical constraints, including limited confidence in diagnosis and management, time constraint, and limited job satisfaction.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	714-722
Number of pages	9
Journal	Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
Volume	42
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-014-0605-x
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2015
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Health care system
Mental health
Obstacles
Primary care
Referral

Access to Document

10.1007/s10488-014-0605-x

Cite this

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title = "Obstacles in Managing Mental Health Problems for Primary Care Physicians in Hong Kong",

abstract = "This study investigated the obstacles for primary care physicians (PCPs) to managing mental health problems in Hong Kong. Focus group data collected from PCPs and psychiatrists were used to construct a questionnaire for a quantitative survey with 516 PCPs respondents. The results showed that their commonly perceived obstacles were lack of timely access to public psychiatrists, lack of feedback from both public and private psychiatrists after referrals; as well as patients{\textquoteright} reluctance to be referred. Factor analysis and correlational analysis found that the numbers of mental health patients treated by the PCPs were mainly determined by the PCPs{\textquoteright} own clinical constraints, including limited confidence in diagnosis and management, time constraint, and limited job satisfaction.",

keywords = "Health care system, Mental health, Obstacles, Primary care, Referral",

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doi = "10.1007/s10488-014-0605-x",

language = "English",

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AU - Sun, Kai Sing

AU - Lam, Tai Pong

AU - Lam, Kwok Fai

AU - Lo, Tak Lam

PY - 2015/11/1

Y1 - 2015/11/1

N2 - This study investigated the obstacles for primary care physicians (PCPs) to managing mental health problems in Hong Kong. Focus group data collected from PCPs and psychiatrists were used to construct a questionnaire for a quantitative survey with 516 PCPs respondents. The results showed that their commonly perceived obstacles were lack of timely access to public psychiatrists, lack of feedback from both public and private psychiatrists after referrals; as well as patients’ reluctance to be referred. Factor analysis and correlational analysis found that the numbers of mental health patients treated by the PCPs were mainly determined by the PCPs’ own clinical constraints, including limited confidence in diagnosis and management, time constraint, and limited job satisfaction.

AB - This study investigated the obstacles for primary care physicians (PCPs) to managing mental health problems in Hong Kong. Focus group data collected from PCPs and psychiatrists were used to construct a questionnaire for a quantitative survey with 516 PCPs respondents. The results showed that their commonly perceived obstacles were lack of timely access to public psychiatrists, lack of feedback from both public and private psychiatrists after referrals; as well as patients’ reluctance to be referred. Factor analysis and correlational analysis found that the numbers of mental health patients treated by the PCPs were mainly determined by the PCPs’ own clinical constraints, including limited confidence in diagnosis and management, time constraint, and limited job satisfaction.

KW - Health care system

KW - Mental health

KW - Obstacles

KW - Primary care

KW - Referral

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DO - 10.1007/s10488-014-0605-x

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C2 - 25331448

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SN - 0894-587X

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JO - Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research

JF - Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research

IS - 6

ER -

Obstacles in Managing Mental Health Problems for Primary Care Physicians in Hong Kong

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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