Beginning the Work of Integration: An Investigation of Primary Care Physicians' Attitudes Toward Psychiatry.

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to better understand the attitudes of primary care physicians toward psychiatrists in order to assess their receptivity for further psychiatric education. METHODS: A survey about attitudes toward psychiatrists in comparison to other specialties was distributed among four family medicine residency programs at Southern Illinois University. RESULTS: Respondents rated psychiatry lower than other specialties in the areas measured. However, family medicine physicians expressed a desire to work with psychiatrists and receive further education in psychiatry. CONCLUSION: Favorable attitudes toward psychiatrists and education in psychiatry suggest the potential for additional family medicine training in psychiatry.