Patient referral pattern, psychometric, and psychotherapeutic service provision by clinical psychologist in psychiatry department of a rural medical college of Maharashtra: A retrospective study

ABSTRACT Background: Mental health disorders are a significant public health challenge, particularly in rural areas where barriers such as geographical remoteness, stigma, and limited infrastructure hinder access to psychiatric care. Aim: To assess profile of referrals, psychometric and psychotherapeutic services provided by the Psychiatry department in a Rural Medical College. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed data from October 2022 to September 2023, focusing on patients who sought mental health services at the Psychiatry Department of a Rural Medical College. Historical data were reviewed, organized, and cleaned, and patients referred to clinical psychologist by psychiatrists, based on various referral sources recorded in the Psychiatry Department and attended at least one psychometric/ psychotherapeutic intervention session were included. Results: The mean age of participants was 28.11 years, with a male predominance (59.87%). Neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders were the most common diagnoses (44.75%), followed by mood disorders (17.59%), substance use disorders (11.11%), and intellectual disabilities (10.49%). A significant proportion (66.36%) had no prior psychiatric treatment. Self-referrals (56.79%) were predominant, followed by referrals from Medicine (23.14%) and Pediatrics (12.04%). Psychometric, such as the Binet-Kamat Test of Intelligence and Vineland Social Maturity Scale (19.35% each), were frequently used. Individual counseling (55.08%) was the most utilized therapeutic service, followed by family counseling (19.16%) and Jacobson’s Progressive Muscle Relaxation Therapy (5.38%). Socio-demographic factors significantly influenced psychometric assessments and psychotherapeutic interventions ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Strengthening follow-up systems and integrating mental health screening within primary care are crucial to enhance service utilization and improve outcomes in underserved rural communities.