[Geriatric Psychiatry in Nursing Homes in the Canton Basel-Stadt - The View of General Practitioners].

Geriatric Psychiatry in Nursing Homes in the Canton Basel-Stadt - The View of General Practitioners Background: This cross-sectional study intends to examine the potential need for an outpatient geronto-psychiatric service and evaluates GPs' views of the frequency of psychiatric symptoms among residents of nursing homes in the canton of Basel-Stadt, Switzerland. Results: Nine out of ten (89 %) see a need for a geronto-psychiatric service. Two thirds (58,9 %) of them prefer a service available during office hours. GPs estimate that 63 % of their nursing home residents suffer from psychiatric symptoms (dementia in 60 %, depression in 23 %, sleep disorders in 11 %). Antipsychotics are prescribed most often (in 50,6 %). Discussion: GPs in the canton of Basel-Stadt see a need for an outpatient geronto-psychiatric service. Psychiatric symptoms are common among residents of nursing homes.