This study was directed at the identification of factors which contribute to the rate of referral from general practitioners to the university outpatients department over the last five years. All of the 129 general practitioners of the area were approached by a questionnaire; 80% of them responded. No single factor appeared to contribute significantly. Acquaintance with the department seemed to be related to the policy of referral versus non-referral, but not to its frequency. General practitioners who did refer, rated more favourably in their opinion about the service given by the department. Non referring general practitioners abstained generally from giving an opinion. In the west of the area, eneral practitioners refer more often when they have their practice very close to the department. In the cast referrals seem to be made in spite of the greater distance to the institute. This difference is probably due to the presence of more psychiatrie services in the west, while they are lacking in the east. No relation was found between the rate of referral of a particular general practitioner and factors such as his attitude towards psychiatry, his age, years of experience and number of patients in his practice. The authors conclude by advocating consultation as a means of contributing to the quality of referrals by general practitioners.