Recognition of physical and psychological symptoms--no influence of GP demographic factors.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the relationship between general practitioner demographic factors and the recognition of psychological and physical symptoms in consultation.


METHODS
A survey of a random sample of 70 GPs and their patients (n=3414) from the lower North Island of New Zealand.


RESULTS
No relationship was found between GP personal and practice demographic characteristics and GP identification of psychological and physical symptoms. Patients were more likely not to present psychological symptoms (62%) than not present physical symptoms (5%) in consultation. Thirteen percent of GPs wanted more formal psychiatric training, 45% wanted more contact time in consultation, and 72% thought that cost was a barrier to patients attending. No significant relationship was found between these factors and GP detection of significant psychological symptoms in consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
Personal and practice demographics of GPs may not predict their ability to detect physical and psychological symptoms. More research is needed to explore these findings which contradict previous work.
Kljakovic
Marjan
M
Academic Unit, General Practice and Community Health Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. marjan.kljakovic@anu.edu.au
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution