How do Victorian GPs manage patients with depression?
BACKGROUND
Depression is common, yet management in general practice is poorly described, especially the relationship between medication use and focussed psychological strategies. Government initiatives are targeting general practitioners' provision of mental health care.


METHODS
Postal survey of a random sample of 350 Victorian GPs between November 2001 and April 2002.


RESULTS
Forty-eight percent response rate. Most GPs reported prescribing medication (82%) or providing supportive counselling (87%) to most patients with mild to moderate major depression, while few (<20%) reported frequently using focussed psychological strategies. Training in psychiatry or focussed psychological strategies was associated with use of psychological therapies.


CONCLUSIONS
Future education programs that support GPs to overcome barriers to using focussed psychological strategies may provide more effective care.
University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. h.mcgarry@unimelb.edu.au
Heather
H
McGarry
Kelsey
K
Hegarty
Jane
J
Gunn
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D004522:Educational Status; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014739:Victoria
D000928:Antidepressive Agents