[Validity of diagnoses of mental disorders by primary care physicians].
OBJECTIVE
Even in young adult age, psychological disorders are highly prevalent. Family doctors and gynaecologists are the physicians most often consulted by young women. Hence, they have a special responsibility to diagnose psychiatric disorders and--if necessary--to refer to a specialist.


METHODS
In a prospective epidemiological study, 342 young women (between 18 and 25 years of age) were questioned two times with a structured interview (F-DIPS) designed for mental disorders. In the time period (1997 and 1998), we also investigated, by analysing personal health insurance data, primary-care physicians' diagnoses and payments for services rendered. The diagnoses were compared.


RESULTS
There was only a small accordance between F-DIPS and claimcards. Ambulant treating doctors diagnosed somatoform disorders in 28 % of the young women (F-DIPS: 3, 8 %). The F- DIPS found mostly phobic disorders (29 %) (claimcards: 6,1 %). A disorder-specific therapy was only rarely initiated. The treatment (psychotherapy and/or drug therapy) of women with psychiatric disorders appeared to be insufficient.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicates that primary-care physicians should be urgently trained in psychiatric diagnostics und therapy.
Hach
I
I
Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, BMBF Forschungsverbund Public Health Sachsen, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden. Isabel.Hach@mailbox.tu-dresden.de
Rentsch
A
A
Ruhl
U
U
Becker
E
E
Türke
V
V
Margraf
J
J
Krappweis
J
J
Kirch
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012737:Sex Factors; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology