Actively Recruiting
Pilot Study on the Impact of a Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Intervention in Primary Care in French-Speaking Switzerland A Mixed Method Randomized Controlled Trial
Led by Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisante), University of Lausanne, Switzerland · Updated on 2025-02-13
30
Participants Needed
3
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
C
Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisante), University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Lead Sponsor
N
Neuchâtel Psychiatry Centre (CNP)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a brief Consultation-Liaison (CL) psychiatry intervention in primary care settings for patients with mental health problems who are under-treated. This mixed methods randomized controlled pilot study, conducted in French-speaking Switzerland, aims to assess the feasibility and practicability of a larger trial. The study focuses on enhancing collaboration between primary care physicians (PCPs) and psychiatrists to improve mental health care quality, particularly for patients newly reporting mental illness without ongoing psychiatric follow-up. The intervention involves a brief CL psychiatric consultation lasting up to two months within private primary care group practices. Patients in the intervention arm receive 1 to 4 psychiatric sessions organized promptly after referral by their PCP, followed by a joint feedback session with the PCP and psychiatrist. The control arm receives treatment as usual (TAU) managed by their PCP without psychiatric involvement. The pilot study enrolls 30 participants, randomized equally between intervention and control arms across three primary care sites. Participants complete baseline and follow-up assessments at 3, 6, and 12 months using validated self-report questionnaires measuring psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, and healthcare complexity. A subset of participants, PCPs, and psychiatrists also participate in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences with the intervention and collaboration. Data collection includes demographic information, symptom scales (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PHQ-15), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), and healthcare system complexity (INTERMED). The study evaluates the impact on psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, feasibility, and lived experiences over one year.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Intervention in Primary Care: A Pilot Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged more than 18 years
- Signed informed consent to study protocol
- Referred by their primary care physician due to mental distress, psychiatric symptoms, or complexity of medical care
- Fluent in the local language or accompanied by an interpreter
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to give informed consent or follow study procedures due to dementia, intellectual disability, acute confusion, or language problems
- Having acute psychotic symptoms, risk of aggression, or acute suicidality
- Currently receiving psychiatric follow-up care
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or remote) to assess eligibility and provide informed consent
Duration - Up to 1 week
Participants complete baseline questionnaires to assess their mental health status and quality of life before starting the study intervention or usual care.
1 baseline assessment completed via email or post
Duration - 2 months
Participants either receive the Consultation-Liaison (CL) psychiatric intervention involving up to 4 psychiatric sessions over 2 months and a joint feedback session, or they receive Treatment As Usual (TAU) by their primary care physician for their mental health needs.
1 to 4 psychiatric sessions and 1 joint feedback session for intervention arm; usual care with variable visits for control arm
Duration - 12 months post-baseline
Participants complete follow-up questionnaires to monitor psychiatric symptoms and quality of life at 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline.
3 follow-up assessments via email or post at 3, 6, and 12 months
Duration - Conducted at 3 and 6 months after enrollment
A subset of participants and involved clinicians participate in semi-structured interviews to explore their lived experience of the intervention and collaboration.
Interviews conducted by phone or face-to-face based on participant preference
Trial Site Locations
Total: 3 locations
1
Centre Neuchâtelois de Psychiatrie (CNP)
Neuchâtel, Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, 2000
Actively Recruiting
2
Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté) - Sponsorship / Not recruiting site
Lausanne, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, 1010
Active, Not Recruiting
3
Service de psychiatrie de l'adulte nord ouest (SPANO) Département de psychiatrie - CHUV (DP-CHUV)
Yverdon-les-Bains, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, 1400
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Konstantinos Tzartzas, MD
S
Stéphane Saillant, PD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Number of Arms
2
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