Généralistes - Psychiatres: Amis ou ennemis?

The author's purpose is to highlight the role differences between a general practitioner and a psychiatrist. She bases her review on the literature as well as on her personal experience which consists of 25 years as a general practitioner followed by 10 years as a psychiatrist. The colleagues' respective opinion of one another was assessed by means of two questionnaires. One was administered to a hundred psychiatrists and the other to a hundred general practitioners on the occasion of two separate medical meetings.. The results of these questionnaires, statements found in the medical literature as well as the author's personal experience confirm that, even if the collaboration between general practitioners and psychiatrists is considered important, it remains very difficult and conditioned by numerous preconceived ideas. By clarifying the roles and specificities of each practitioner, this article aims at improving this collaboration which is pivotal for the patient's mental health progression.