PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - M Tansella AU - C Bellantuono TI - Provision of mental health care in general practice in Italy. DP - 1991 Nov 01 TA - British Journal of General Practice PG - 468--471 VI - 41 IP - 352 4099 - http://bjgp.org/content/41/352/468.short 4100 - http://bjgp.org/content/41/352/468.full SO - Br J Gen Pract1991 Nov 01; 41 AB - The main features of the psychiatric system and of the general practice system in Italy since the psychiatric reform and the introduction of a national health service are briefly described. Research conducted in Italy confirms that a large proportion of patients seen by general practitioners have psychological disorders and that only some of those patients whose psychological problems are identified by general practitioners are referred to specialist psychiatric care. Thus, the need to identify the best model of collaboration between psychiatric services and general practice services is becoming increasingly urgent. The chances of improving links between the two services and of developing a satisfactory liaison model are probably greater in countries such as Italy where psychiatric services are highly decentralized and community-based, than in countries where the psychiatric services are hospital-based.