title: Small groups for supporting GPs' professional development in mental health disease--an evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Small groups provide opportunities for education, information sharing, development of clinical skills and peer support. They have been promoted in general practice in Australia, especially for mental health disease, and often by divisions of general practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Minutes from a series of small groups supervised by psychiatrists were analysed to observe the content and themes over 5 years. Additionally, focus groups of general practitioner participants were asked to comment on what they found most valuable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two GPs attended small groups (mean size 2-3) over 3 years, about half for 10-49 sessions. The most discussed diseases were depression (most frequently at 157 times), psychosis (137), personality disorders (79), drug and alcohol abuse (73), anxiety disorders (68) and suicide (42). Discussion of doctor-patient interpersonal and doctor self care issues increased from under 2% of all statements in 1995 to nearly 10% in 2000. Participating GPs found the small groups empowering, confidence increasing, and useful for addressing psychological and interpersonal issues at work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participating GPs found small groups useful and provided helpful recommendations based on their experiences.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry and Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia.. kwilhelm@stvincents.com.au
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: Glenda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peel
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Finch
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sved-Williams
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D017145:Models, Educational