Introduction: GPs are often the first contact point for mental health concerns. Training to qualify as a GP involves completing a three-to-four year program. Among other things, the training program may include a six-...Introduction: GPs are often the first contact point for mental health concerns. Training to qualify as a GP involves completing a three-to-four year program. Among other things, the training program may include a six-hour mental health training workshop. The study’s purpose was to compare GPs’ and Trainees’ perceptions of difficult-to-treat-depression (DTTD). Methods: Using a semi-structured interview schedule comprising six questions, 10 GPs and six Trainees participated in focus groups or telephone interview. To understand participants’ perspectives, data were analyzed using the Framework Method. Findings: Trainees were less clear than GPs about the meaning of DTTD and other diagnostic terms. GPs’ diagnosis included querying diagnosis and treatment options. Trainees’ experience was limited but they raised barriers including non-response to various treatment trials. Both groups identified management difficulties including: doctor shopping, suicide risk, patients not being well informed;with management difficulties exacerbated by limited access/referring to health professionals, cost and/or unavailability of bulk billing. While some GPs and Trainees had heard of an illness management model or chronic illness model, few used a model. Most reported limited referring to psychiatrists, mainly because of cost and/or limited availability. GPs were more likely to refer to other health professionals and use pharmacological and complementary therapies. Both groups discussed the impact of external factors including cultural factors, patient compliance, treatment failure, and the importance of the relationship between the patient and the professional. Trainees were more likely to stress the importance local clinical guidelines. Discussion and Conclusion: Despite the small size and limited nature, this research provides insight into some of the similarities and differences of GPs’ and Trainees’ experiences and understanding of DTTD. This may have implications for training providers, clinical supervisors and Trainees, and suggests that enhancement in the role of mental health training may be relevant.展开更多
Introduction: Since the Australian Government introduced the “Better Access to Mental Health Services” program in 2006, psychiatrists, psychologists and general practitioners (GPs) have become increasingly involved ...Introduction: Since the Australian Government introduced the “Better Access to Mental Health Services” program in 2006, psychiatrists, psychologists and general practitioners (GPs) have become increasingly involved in service provision for people seeking help with mental health problems. The aim of this research was to a) explore psychologists’ perceptions of difficult to treat depression (DTTD) and b) explore what they thought about the GPs’ role in managing these patient given that most patients are referred to psychologist by GPs. Methods: A previously developed semi-structured interview schedule comprising six questions was used. Seven psychologists participated in a focus group held in Melbourne. Data were analysed using the framework method. Findings, including Discussion: While psychologists understood the term DTTD it was suggested that using different terms may limit understanding between health professionals. Rather than diagnosing, psychologists were more likely to conduct further assessment contextually to confirm GPs’ diagnosis. Communication with GPs was important, particularly when managing “long-term” and suicidal patients. Management included cognitive and behavioural interventions and referring to other mental health services, psychiatrists and/or other allied health professionals. Referral to psychiatrists could be difficult because of limited availability and for some patients, prohibitive costs. Although psychologists discussed non-pharmacological and/or complementary treatment options with patients, they were more likely to rely on GPs to discuss/prescribe these options. Conclusion: While generalisability may be limited, this study is the first to document some understanding of psychologists perceptions of DTTD and the importance of GPs and other health professionals’ role in managing this patient cohort.展开更多
文摘Introduction: GPs are often the first contact point for mental health concerns. Training to qualify as a GP involves completing a three-to-four year program. Among other things, the training program may include a six-hour mental health training workshop. The study’s purpose was to compare GPs’ and Trainees’ perceptions of difficult-to-treat-depression (DTTD). Methods: Using a semi-structured interview schedule comprising six questions, 10 GPs and six Trainees participated in focus groups or telephone interview. To understand participants’ perspectives, data were analyzed using the Framework Method. Findings: Trainees were less clear than GPs about the meaning of DTTD and other diagnostic terms. GPs’ diagnosis included querying diagnosis and treatment options. Trainees’ experience was limited but they raised barriers including non-response to various treatment trials. Both groups identified management difficulties including: doctor shopping, suicide risk, patients not being well informed;with management difficulties exacerbated by limited access/referring to health professionals, cost and/or unavailability of bulk billing. While some GPs and Trainees had heard of an illness management model or chronic illness model, few used a model. Most reported limited referring to psychiatrists, mainly because of cost and/or limited availability. GPs were more likely to refer to other health professionals and use pharmacological and complementary therapies. Both groups discussed the impact of external factors including cultural factors, patient compliance, treatment failure, and the importance of the relationship between the patient and the professional. Trainees were more likely to stress the importance local clinical guidelines. Discussion and Conclusion: Despite the small size and limited nature, this research provides insight into some of the similarities and differences of GPs’ and Trainees’ experiences and understanding of DTTD. This may have implications for training providers, clinical supervisors and Trainees, and suggests that enhancement in the role of mental health training may be relevant.
文摘Introduction: Since the Australian Government introduced the “Better Access to Mental Health Services” program in 2006, psychiatrists, psychologists and general practitioners (GPs) have become increasingly involved in service provision for people seeking help with mental health problems. The aim of this research was to a) explore psychologists’ perceptions of difficult to treat depression (DTTD) and b) explore what they thought about the GPs’ role in managing these patient given that most patients are referred to psychologist by GPs. Methods: A previously developed semi-structured interview schedule comprising six questions was used. Seven psychologists participated in a focus group held in Melbourne. Data were analysed using the framework method. Findings, including Discussion: While psychologists understood the term DTTD it was suggested that using different terms may limit understanding between health professionals. Rather than diagnosing, psychologists were more likely to conduct further assessment contextually to confirm GPs’ diagnosis. Communication with GPs was important, particularly when managing “long-term” and suicidal patients. Management included cognitive and behavioural interventions and referring to other mental health services, psychiatrists and/or other allied health professionals. Referral to psychiatrists could be difficult because of limited availability and for some patients, prohibitive costs. Although psychologists discussed non-pharmacological and/or complementary treatment options with patients, they were more likely to rely on GPs to discuss/prescribe these options. Conclusion: While generalisability may be limited, this study is the first to document some understanding of psychologists perceptions of DTTD and the importance of GPs and other health professionals’ role in managing this patient cohort.
