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Psychiatric morbidity in primary public health care: a multicentre investigation. Part II. Hidden morbidity and choice of treatment
Author(s) -
MunkJørgensen P.,
Fink P.,
Brevik J. I.,
Dalgard O. S.,
Engberg M.,
Hansson L.,
Holm M.,
Joukamaa M.,
Karlsson H.,
Lehtinen V.,
Nettelbladt P.,
Stefansson C.,
Sørensen L,
Jensen J.,
Borgquist L.,
Sandager I.,
Nordström G.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1997.tb00366.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , psychosis , medicine , mental illness , public health , mental health , primary care , family medicine , nursing
A total of 1281 patients were examined during consultation with their GP in a Nordic multicentre study focusing on the prevalence of psychiatric illness, hidden psychiatric morbidity, treatment and pathways to specialized care. The methodology and prevalence were reported in an accompanying paper. The present paper presents results concerning the variables hidden psychiatric morbidity, treatment and pathways to specialized care. The GPs detected 44% of the psychiatric cases compared with the result of a diagnostic interview (PSE). The distinction between psychosis and non‐psychosis did not influence the GPs' ability to detect a mental illness. According to the GPs' assessment the majority of patients suffering from a mental disorder consulted their GP about physical complaints. The GPs treated the patients themselves, and only a limited number of cases were referred to psychiatrists or psychologists.