Sarah Gibson | PubMed Health

PubMed2003

GP referrals for counselling: a review and model.

Considerable efforts have been made to describe and evaluate general practitioner (GP) referral of patients to counsellors, although the literature describing contributory factors in the referral process is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature review and present the information in a cohesive and practical model that might be of interest to both doctors and counsellors. An English language computerised literature search was conducted. The title or abstract contained any, or a combination of the following keywords: 'patient characteristics', 'counselling', 'primary care', and 'referral'. A further search was conducted based on relevant articles referenced in the above selection. A model was developed that showed an array of factors related to the patient, the GP, the GP-counsellor relationship, and external variables. Their interaction resulted in a complex collaborative process between the patient, GP and counsellor. These and their consequences were discussed, along with future research needs.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2002

'Floating support': implications for interprofessional working.

This article describes a floating support scheme, provided by a local housing association, which enables single vulnerable people to live independently in their own homes. The study aimed to explore the impact of the scheme from the perspectives of clients, floating support workers and representatives from health, social care and voluntary agencies. It was found that the majority of clients had long-term mental health problems and were supported by a range of professionals. Floating support was flexible in responding to individual needs. A number of themes of relevance to interprofessional working emerged from the data. These included: floating support as a community resource, links with other agencies and confidentiality, information sharing and risk management. Floating support workers worked closely with professionals from health, social care, voluntary and educational services. Although the scheme's contribution to client care was highly valued, a number of barriers to effective interagency working were evident. This study highlighted the need for discussion and presented a forum for developing an ongoing collaborative process to address the specific issues which emerged in focus group discussions.

Adolescent↗