General practice, mental health, and stress. Part 2: organisational model and commentary on the postmodern context

Author(s):  
Marilyn Miller
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Ruths ◽  
Inger Haukenes ◽  
Øystein Hetlevik ◽  
Tone Smith-Sivertsen ◽  
Stefan Hjørleifsson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Depression is highly prevalent, but knowledge is scarce as to whether increased public awareness and strengthened government focus on mental health have changed how general practitioners (GPs) help their depressed patients. This study aimed to examine national time trends in GP depression care and whether trends varied regarding patient gender, age, and comorbidity. Methods Nationwide registry-based cohort study, Norway. The study population comprised all residents aged 20 years or older with new depression diagnoses recorded in general practice, 2009–2015. We linked reimbursement claims data from all consultations in general practice for depression with information on demographics and antidepressant medication. The outcome was type(s) of GP depression care during 12 months from the date of diagnosis: (long) consultation, talking therapy, antidepressant drug treatment, sickness absence certification, and referral to secondary mental health care. Covariates were patient gender, age, and comorbidity. The data are presented as frequencies and tested with generalized linear models. Results We included 365,947 new depression diagnoses. Mean patient age was 44 years (SD = 16), 61.9 % were women, 41.2 % had comorbidity. From 2009 to 2015, proportions of patients receiving talking therapy (42.3–63.4 %), long consultations (56.4–71.8 %), and referral to secondary care (16.6–21.6 %) increased, while those receiving drug treatment (31.3–25.9 %) and sick-listing (58.1–50 %) decreased. The trends were different for gender (women had a greater increase in talking therapy and a smaller decrease in sick-listing, compared to men), age (working-aged patients had a smaller increase in talking therapy, a greater increase in long consultations, and a smaller decrease in antidepressant drug use, compared to older patients) and comorbidity (patients with mental comorbidity had a smaller increase in talking therapy and a greater increase in long consultations, compared to those with no comorbidity and somatic comorbidity). Conclusions The observed time trends in GP depression care towards increased provision of psychological treatment and less drug treatment and sick-listing were in the desired direction according to Norwegian health care policy. However, the large and persistent differences in treatment rates between working-aged and older patients needs further investigation.


Author(s):  
Corinna C. Klein ◽  
B. Erika Luis Sanchez ◽  
Miya L. Barnett

AbstractProgress measures are an evidence-based technique for improving the quality of mental health care, however, clinicians rarely incorporate them into treatment. Research into how measure type impacts clinician preference has been recommended to help improve measure implementation. Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an assessment-driven treatment that serves as an ideal intervention through which to investigate measure preferences given its routine use of two types of assessments, a behavioral observation (the Dyadic Parent–Child Interaction Coding System) and a parent-report measure (the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory). This study investigated PCIT therapist attitudes towards progress measures used within PCIT and children’s mental health treatment generally. A mixed-method (QUAN + QUAL) study design examined PCIT therapist attitudes towards two types of progress measures and measures used in two contexts (PCIT and general practice). Multi-level modeling of a survey distributed to 324 PCIT therapists identified predictors of therapist attitudes towards measures, while qualitative interviews with 23 therapists expanded and clarified the rationale for differing perceptions. PCIT therapists reported more positive attitudes towards a behavioral observation measure, the DPICS, than a parent-report measure, the ECBI, and towards measures used in PCIT than in general practice. Clinician race/ethnicity was significantly related to measure-specific attitudes. Qualitative interviews highlighted how perceptions of measure reliability, type of data offered, ease of use, utility in guiding sessions and motivating clients, and embeddedness in treatment protocol impact therapist preferences. Efforts to implement progress monitoring should consider preferences for particular types of measures, as well as how therapists are trained to embed measures in treatment.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Collings ◽  
F. Mathieson ◽  
A. Dowell ◽  
J. Stanley ◽  
G. Jenkin ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Minas ◽  
Steven Klimidis ◽  
Renata Kokanovic

Objective: To explore problems in carrying out a mental health research project in the general practice setting. Method: Open-ended interviews were conducted with general practice stakeholders, focusing on impediments to the conduct of mental health research in general practice and possible means for improving the participation of general practitioners in such research. Participants in the consultations were members of ?ve divisions of general practice, senior staff within an academic department of general practice, four general practitioners and a research group engaged with general practice research. The discussions were recorded in detailed interview notes, and key issues and themes emerging from consultations were derived by the researchers. Results: Three main themes summarized most of the issues reported through the consultations, including structural issues (e.g. disruption of practice, time limitations and lack of remuneration), process issues (e.g. researcher–general practice communication, researcher-imposed issues and need for partnerships) and content issues (e.g. study design, study procedures and methods). Conclusions: The consultations revealed similar ?ndings to previously published reports concerning general practice research, with an emphasis on the need for partnerships between researchers and general practice organizations in the conduct of such research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (694) ◽  
pp. e322-e329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C Hillman ◽  
Carol Bryce ◽  
Rachel Caleychetty ◽  
Jeremy Dale

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common lifelong metabolic condition with serious associated comorbidities. Evidence points to a delay in diagnosis and inconsistency in the information provided to women with PCOS.AimTo capture women’s experiences of how PCOS is diagnosed and managed in UK general practice.Design and settingThis was a mixed-methods study with an online questionnaire survey and semi-structured telephone interviews with a subset of responders.MethodAn online survey to elicit women’s experiences of general practice PCOS care was promoted by charities and BBC Radio Leicester. The survey was accessible online between January 2018 and November 2018. A subset of responders undertook a semi-structured telephone interview to provide more in-depth data.ResultsA total of 323 women completed the survey (average age 35.4 years) and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 women. There were five key themes identified through the survey responses. Participants described a variable lag time from presentation to PCOS diagnosis, with a median of 6–12 months. Many had experienced mental health problems associated with their PCOS symptoms, but had not discussed these with the GP. Many were unable to recall any discussion about associated comorbidities with the GP. Some differences were identified between the experiences of women from white British backgrounds and those from other ethnic backgrounds.ConclusionFrom the experiences of the women in this study, it appears that PCOS in general practice is not viewed as a long-term condition with an increased risk of comorbidities including mental health problems. Further research should explore GPs’ awareness of comorbidities and the differences in PCOS care experienced by women from different ethnic backgrounds.


2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. A131-A136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian R. H. Falloon

Objective The process of detecting people at high risk of schizophrenia from a community sample is a major challenge for prevention of psychotic disorders. The aim of this paper is to describe early detection procedures that can be implemented in primary care settings. Methods A selected literature review is supplemented by experiences and data obtained during the Buckingham Integrated Mental Health Care Project. Results General medical practitioners have been favoured as the agents most likely to prove helpful in detecting the key risk factors that predict the onset of schizophrenic disorders, as well as in recognising the earliest signs and symptoms of these conditions. However, the practical problems of screening for multiple and subtle risk factors in general practice are substantial, and general practitioners (GPs) often have difficulty recognising the earliest signs of a psychotic episode. A range of strategies to assist GPs detect early signs of psychosis in their patients are considered. Conclusions It is feasible to implement primary care setting early detection procedures for people at risk of schizophrenia. Implementation is aided by the use of a brief screening questionnaire, training sessions and case supervision; and increased collaboration with mental health services and other community agencies.


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