Summary
A sample of Asian immigrants in the United Kingdom were studied to see whether their lower rates of psychiatric treatment were reflected in lower rates of consultation at the G.P.'s surgery. Lower consultation rates would suggest that Asians in this country may (a) be psychologically healthier or (b) be using lay referral networks. Equal or higher consultation rates would suggest that psychiatric difficulties were present in similar numbers but were not being diagnosed and referred for treatment. An Asian and an English sample were found to have almost identical consultation rates, suggesting that factors affecting doctor-patient interaction are responsible for Asians' underutilization of psychiatric facilities.
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Brewin, C. Explaining the lower rates of psychiatric treatment among Asian immigrants to the United Kingdom: A preliminary study. Soc Psychiatry 15, 17–19 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00577957
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00577957