Integrating counselling into general practice.
BACKGROUND
General practice counselling has many significant differences to counselling in other settings. General practitioners have long term relationships with their patients involving physical as well as mental health care. General practitioners are often the first point of contact for distressed patients who may not perceive their problem to have a psychological basis. There are barriers to counselling including time management and cultural expectations of the consultation.


OBJECTIVE
To outline a practical biopsychosocial model for counselling in the general practice setting using the knowledge and skills unique to each GP. Theoretical and practical barriers to counselling commonly encountered in general practice are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessing the problem in a biopsychosocial format highlights strengths and skills the patient already possesses and involves consideration of physical sensations, emotions, behaviours, key relationships, family, social roles and resources. Counselling in general practice requires flexibility and an ability to adapt available resources to address patient needs in an individually appropriate way.
Stone
L
L
Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, Monash University, Victoria.
Blashki
G
G
D003376:Counseling; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations