Self-reported confidence and skills of general practitioners in management of mental health disorders

Abstract

Objective: To identify the predictors of self-reported confidence and skills of GPs in management of patients with mental health problems.

Design: Cross-sectional survey, with questionnaire presented to 246 GPs working in 62 practices throughout Gippsland.

Setting: Rural general practices in Gippsland.

Participants: One hundred and thirty-four GPs across Gippsland.

Main outcome measures: GPs completed a questionnaire assessing self-perception of knowledge and skills in recognition and management of common mental health problems.

Results: Of 134 GPs, 45% reported that they have a specific interest in mental health, and 39% of GPs reported that they had previous mental health training. Only 22% of GPs describe having both an interest and prior training in mental health care. Age and years since graduation are not significantly related to self-reported confidence and skills.

Conclusions: The results of this study highlight that self-professed interest and prior training in mental health are associated. Self-professed interest in mental health care predicts confidence and self-perceived skills in recognition, assessment and management of common mental health disorders. Similarly, prior training in mental health care predicts confidence and self-perceived skills in recognition, assessment and management of common mental health problems. Self-professed interest in mental health issues is also associated with hours of participation in continuing medical education related to mental health care. Unfortunately, only a minority described having both interest and prior training in mental health care.