A counsellor in general practice: a one-year survey

A counsellor was included within the professional staff of a practice of 11,000 patients cared for by five partners. A review of her work over a 12-month period is described. Eighty-seven patients were counselled in 197 sessions. Thirty-five per cent of first appointments and 22 per cent of subsequent appointments were not kept. The problems dealt with most frequently were anxiety and stress, marital troubles and abortion. Patients perceived the service as giving relief by allowing them to talk and helping them to work out their problems.