GP group profiles and involvement in mental health care.
OBJECTIVE
Mental health is one of the leading causes of morbidity worldwide. Its impact in terms of cost and loss of productivity is considerable. Improving the efficiency of mental health care system has thus been a high priority for decision makers. In the context of current reforms that privilege the reinforcement of primary mental health care and integration of services, this article brings new lights on the role of general practitioners (GPs) in managing mental health, and shared-care initiatives developed to deal with more complex cases. The study presents a typology of GPs providing mental health care, by identifying clusters of GP profiles associated with the management of patients with common or serious mental disorders (CMD or SMD).


METHODS
GPs in Quebec (n = 398) were surveyed on their practice, and socio-demographic data were collected.


RESULTS
Cluster analysis generated five GP profiles, including three that were closely tied to mental health care (labelled, respectively: group practice GPs, traditional pro-active GPs and collaborative-minded GPs), and two not very implicated in mental health (named: diversified and low-implicated GPs, and money-making GPs).


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirmed the central role played by GPs in the treatment of patients with CMD and their relative lack of involvement in the care of patients with SMD. Study results support current efforts to strengthen collaboration among primary care providers and mental health specialists, reinforce GP training, and favour multi-modal clinical and collaborative strategies in mental health care.
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Douglas Mental Health University Institute Research Centre (DMHUIRC), Montréal, Québec, Canada. flemar@douglas.mcgill.ca
Marie-Josée
MJ
Fleury
Jean-Marie
JM
Bamvita
Lambert
L
Farand
Denise
D
Aubé
Louise
L
Fournier
Alain
A
Lesage
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011792:Quebec; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires