Patients’ experience of being triaged directly to a psychologist in primary care: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND In a primary health-care centre (PHCC) situated in a segregated area with low socio-economic status, 'primary care triage' has increased efficiency and accessibility. In the primary-care triage, the nurse sorts the patient to the appropriate PHCC profession according to described symptoms. Aim The aim of this study was to examine the patients' experience of being triaged directly to a psychologist for assessment. METHOD Interviews were conducted with 20 patients and then analysed using qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS The results show that patients contacting the PHCC for mental health issues often are active agents with their own intent to see a psychologist, not a doctor, as a first-hand choice when contacting the PHCC. Seeking help for mental health issues is described as a sensitive issue that demands building up strength before contacting. The quick access to the preferred health-care professional is appreciated. The nurse was perceived as a caring facilitator rather than a decision maker. It is the patient's wish rather than the symptoms that directs the sorting. The patients' expectations when meeting the psychologist were wide and diverse. The structured assessment sometimes collided and sometimes united with these expectations, yielding different outcome satisfaction. The results could be seen in line with the present goal to increase patients' choice in the health-care system. The improved accessibility to the psychologist seems to meet community expectations. The results also indicate a need for providing more prior information about the assessment and potential outcomes.