HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS British Journal of Psychiatry Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Uher, R. Articles by Timehin, C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Uher, R. Articles by Timehin, C.

Managing patients’ information in a community mental health team

PO59, Institute of Psychiatry, DeCrespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, e-mail: r.uher{at}iop.kcl.ac.uk

Clive Timehin, Consultant Psychiatrist

South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, Crescent Resource Centre, Salcot Crescent, New Addington, CR0 0JJ

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To explore current practice in offering patients copies of correspondence, we audited the documentation of 422 patients of a community mental health team.

RESULTS

Discussion about copying letters was documented in 194 case notes (46%); older patients and those with medically unexplained physical symptoms were less likely to be offered copies. There were 159 patients (82%) that wanted to receive copies of letters; male gender was associated with declining this option. In 167 (87%) instances the professional completing the form was a psychiatrist.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Older patients need to be offered the opportunity to receive correspondence. Clinicians should record and substantiate their decision not to offer copies of letters to some patients. Professionals other than psychiatrists should be encouraged to discuss copying letters with patients.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Mason and D. Rice Does a business-like letter written for a general practitioner meet the standards for patients? Psychiatr. Bull., July 1, 2008; 32(7): 259 - 262. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]