Collaboration between general practitioners and a child and adolescent mental health service

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this project was to develop a collaborative working relationship between general practitioners and a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS).

METHODS

The project focused on changing the policies and culture within CAMHS to be more GP aware and inclusive. The project also provided GPs with an accredited training package on common mental health problems. The impact of the project was determined through pre and post project surveys and interviews with GPs and mental health workers (case managers) respectively.

RESULTS

There was a two-fold increase in communication between the two sectors and a 120% increase in shared care arrangements. There was a 144% improvement in GPs' perceptions of the helpfulness of public CAMHS.

DISCUSSION

Implications for future collaboration are discussed. The results of this pilot study are encouraging and warrant replication and validation using standardised instruments.

CONCLUSION

To create, enhance and extend the working relationships between GPs and public CAMHS requires strategies for change in both sectors.

Risk factors for eating disorders in Greek- and Anglo-Australian adolescent girls

Past research indicates ethnicity may be related to eating disorder and related risk factors. The present study examines risk factors for eating disorders in 50 Anglo- and 50 Greek-Australian girls (mean age = 13.5 years). The variables assessed included bulimic tendencies, body dissatisfaction, use of extreme weight loss behaviors (EWLBs), self-esteem, depression and family cohesion and adaptability. Cultural eating patterns were also explored. A stepwise discriminant function analysis to examine whether the two groups could be discriminated on these variables was significant and correctly classified 73.9% of the sample, the chief discriminating variables being Pressure to Eat, EWLBs, and Family Adaptability. Univariate analyses indicated differences between the groups on Pressure to Eat, Family Adaptability, and Mother's Shape. Although the groups were discriminable, a number of variables generally associated with eating disorder did not contribute to the function. These data are discussed in terms of cultural assimilation.