H2M: a GP-focused multidisciplinary team for patients living with HIV and hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the development and functioning of the HIV and hepatitis C mental health in primary care service (H2M), a multidisciplinary team that works with local general practitioners (GPs) and the St Vincent's Hospital immunology clinic to meet the mental health needs of their patients living with HIV/AIDS and those undergoing interferon-based treatment for hepatitis C.

METHOD: The authors describe and review the service, using information from a database of patient characteristics and from a GP satisfaction survey.

RESULTS

GP satisfaction with the service was high and participating GPs have increased their knowledge and understanding of their patients' mental health problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Over eight years, H2M has become a well utilized and valued specialty team with over 1,200 referrals in that time. Patients with other chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, cardiac and renal disease, could benefit from a similar service model.