The views of Otago urban and rural general practitioners on mental health services.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the views of Otago general practitioners (GPs) about local mental health services and their role in providing such health care.


METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to all GPs working in Otago.


RESULTS
100 replies (59%) were received. There were large differences between GPs in the estimated numbers of patients with psychiatric conditions they were seeing. 85% were keen on sharing management of patients with mental health services. Average confidence levels for diagnosis and management of depression and anxiety were good. GPs felt less confident about psychosis, somatisation, eating and personality disorders. Obstacles to GPs doing more mental health work included time, cost, access to specialist services and training. On balance, GPs viewed the present mental health services as adequate.


CONCLUSIONS
GPs appeared prepared to do more mental health work if the barriers of cost and time could be overcome and they were provided with adequate education and backup from specialised services.
Bathgate
D
D
HealthCare Otago.
Bermingham
B
B
Curtis
D
D
Romans
S
S
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D009520:New Zealand; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D011365:Professional Practice Location / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D016526:Workload