5.2.1 Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care for Mild-to-Moderate Disorders
The term “mild-to-moderate” is described as set of mental disorders such as depression and a range of anxiety disorders, panic disorders, phobias, somatoform disorders, eating disorders and ADHDs (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders)(OECD 2014) . Mild-to-moderate disorders are estimated to have high prevalence rate in OECD populations.
Research studies, evaluating treatment models, have shed consistent evidence that treating common mental disorders (such as depression or anxiety) in primary care settings is more effective approach compared to the prevailing mode of delivering treatment through specialist facilities in psychiatric hospitals. It is suggested that an integrated care model, in which primary care physicians working in joint collaboration with psychiatrists and trained hospital staff, can lead to better patient …show more content…
GPs are the first point of contact for all people in most countries. For example, OECD 2011(Health at a Glance – OECD Indicators) reported that for selected EU countries, the General Practitioner (GPs) was overwhelmingly more likely to be consulted for mental health problems than psychiatrists or psychologists. In the US, approximately 20 to 25% of primary care patients have one or more psychiatric disorders—most commonly anxiety, depressive, and alcohol/substance abuse disorders (Katon & Unutzer, 2013). Despite the prime role of GPs as a health care provider, the prevailing practice in most countries requires GPs to refer mental health patients to specialists, particularly psychiatrists. But, due to shortage of specialists and hospital resources, patients in most countries face considerable waiting times. In this regard, integrated model offers an important benefit of ensuring that the population as a whole has access to the
The term “mild-to-moderate” is described as set of mental disorders such as depression and a range of anxiety disorders, panic disorders, phobias, somatoform disorders, eating disorders and ADHDs (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders)(OECD 2014) . Mild-to-moderate disorders are estimated to have high prevalence rate in OECD populations.
Research studies, evaluating treatment models, have shed consistent evidence that treating common mental disorders (such as depression or anxiety) in primary care settings is more effective approach compared to the prevailing mode of delivering treatment through specialist facilities in psychiatric hospitals. It is suggested that an integrated care model, in which primary care physicians working in joint collaboration with psychiatrists and trained hospital staff, can lead to better patient …show more content…
GPs are the first point of contact for all people in most countries. For example, OECD 2011(Health at a Glance – OECD Indicators) reported that for selected EU countries, the General Practitioner (GPs) was overwhelmingly more likely to be consulted for mental health problems than psychiatrists or psychologists. In the US, approximately 20 to 25% of primary care patients have one or more psychiatric disorders—most commonly anxiety, depressive, and alcohol/substance abuse disorders (Katon & Unutzer, 2013). Despite the prime role of GPs as a health care provider, the prevailing practice in most countries requires GPs to refer mental health patients to specialists, particularly psychiatrists. But, due to shortage of specialists and hospital resources, patients in most countries face considerable waiting times. In this regard, integrated model offers an important benefit of ensuring that the population as a whole has access to the