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Primary mental healthcare: care professionals’ perspectives143If there’s any irritation on my part, it’s indeed more often in communication with other care professionals than with the client...there’s still often a feeling of separation where you’re trying to toss something over instead of actively working together. (F2, GP)Box 6.5. Theme 4: GPs’ and MHNPs’ challenges to provide care in the healthcare chain. Practice-based insights that participants in our study deemed to contribute positively to the quality of primary mental health (MH) care for adults with mild intellectual difficulties (MID)aFinding appropriate care and support y A clear and up-to-date overview for practitioners of the regional network for care and support to patients with both an intellectual difficulty (ID) and MH problems y The professionals within the network are easily accessible for the practitioner, with clear lines of communication and the possibility of personal contacty Sufficient capacity and MID knowledge within support and care services, including the availability of long-term supporty The GPs are supported by MHNPs or professionals in the public health or social domain for the organisation and coordination of care for this patient groupCollaboration in the healthcare chain y The involved professionals around a patient are easily accessibility for patients, practitioners, and other professionals involvedy Consistency in individual care professionals involved in the patient’s carey Clear communication of tasks and responsibilities with all stakeholders, including the patienty Low-threshold opportunities for GPs to consult a psychiatrist, ID physician, or members of the community teamy A regular transfer of patient information and knowledge between involved care professionalsy Knowledge about implications of MID throughout the healthcare chaina For readability, the term practitioner is used for both GPs and MHNPs; when relevant, GP or MHNP is specifiedDiscussionIn this study, we explored GPs’ and MHNPs’ experiences, needs, and recommendations for improvement regarding primary MH care. Participants perceived their patients with both MID and MH problems as complex cases. This related to patient factors, challenges experienced in the doctor–patient relationship, the presence and capacity of the patient’s network, and orchestrating care in the healthcare chain. As a result, participants found it difficult to provide the appropriate care and that patients relied substantially 6Katrien Pouls sHL.indd 143 24-06-2024 16:26