A survey of state and VA policies on psychiatrists as primary care providers

Fifty-five state and territorial commissioners of mental health and chiefs of psychiatry at 158 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers were surveyed about current policies related to psychiatrists' roles as primary care providers in state and VA facilities. About half the respondents indicated that psychiatrists provided primary medical care or indicated interest in having psychiatrists provide such care. Less than half of this group limited such care to specific patient populations, and less than 25 percent required specific training for providers. The survey results indicate that opportunities for psychiatrists to provide primary care exist in many state and VA facilities but that no generally accepted guidelines or training standards for such practice have been developed.