title: Patients' opinions of the use of psychiatric case-finding questionnaires in general practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The common mental disorders of depression and anxiety often remain undetected in general practice. Psychiatric screening instruments have been recommended to assist detection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess patients' attitudes towards the use of psychiatric screening questionnaires for common mental disorders within general practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty focus groups comprising 127 patients were conducted in Wales, UK. The groups were distinguished by age, sex and locality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of respondents felt that the use of a screening questionnaire was acceptable and would be willing to complete one within a general practice setting. However, a number of individuals expressed concern about the validity of the kinds of questions asked and the usefulness of the instrument in practice. Respondents also discussed their concerns relating to issues of confidentiality and the doctor's response to the assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study indicates that lay beliefs towards mental illness, particularly relating to perceived stigma, will continue to pose problems for the routine use of psychiatric case-finding questionnaires within general practice.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Genetics, Medicentre Unit 32, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, Wales, UK. fiona.wood@uhw-tr.wales.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Roisin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pill
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.forename: Glyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003219:Confidentiality; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011287:Prejudice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014852:Wales