Doctors' experience of a bespoke physician consultation service: cross-sectional investigation

Abstract

Aims and method Our aim was to follow-up on a cohort of self-referred doctors who attended MedNet. We used a two-point cross-sectional design. Measures included three standardised self-report questionnaires administered before and after consultation. Doctors were also asked to complete a service user questionnaire, and data regarding engagement and onward referrals were gathered through case-note review. Results A statistically significant improvement in scores on all three questionnaires was found after intervention; however, scores on one subscale, the risk domain of the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – Outcome Measure, did not change significantly. Of the doctors at no risk of suicide at intake, nearly two-thirds ( n = 41/70, 59%) were sufficiently helped by the consultations provided to not need further treatment. Of the doctors at some risk of suicide at intake, two-thirds ( n = 34/51, 67%) did need an onward referral. Only one doctor required hospital admission, an outcome that suggests the approach used is containing and clinically responsive. Clinical implications This paper highlights the efficacy, need and importance of specialist services for doctors in difficulty. We found that the bespoke consultation model provided at MedNet is valued highly by the doctors as service users.