Referrals for Psychiatric Reports: A Study on Solicitor to Psychiatrist Communication

Abstract

Much of the communication between solicitors and psychiatrists is by letter. To determine what are the most important items (‘key items’) that should be included in a request for a psychiatric court report, questionnaires were sent to 20 psychiatrists, all of whom had experience in preparing psychiatric court reports. Then 150 requests for psychiatric court reports were studied and rated for the inclusion of key items. The referral letters rarely fulfilled the psychiatrists' requirements and in only 42 per cent was it clearly stated why a report had been requested. The study suggests that psychiatrists should explain more clearly to solicitors what information they require and solicitors need to be more aware of psychiatrists' requirements.