The role of the general practitioner in the care of mentally disturbed subjects in the general population--results of the Upper Bavarian Study

Abstract

The role of the general practitioner in the care of mentally disturbed non-institutionalised persons aged 20 years and older was examined. Data were based on the representative community sample of the Upper Bavarian Field Study with a sample size of 1495 interviewees--aged 20 years and older. The 5-year prevalence of mental illness according to the definition used was 32.8%. 38.5% of all persons, identified as cases, consulted their general practitioner because of psychiatric or emotional problems. Females and the elderly were most likely to have received treatment by their general practitioner. The majority of treated persons were neurotic and psychosomatic patients. The general practitioner provided care for more psychiatric patients than the psychiatrist and for 25% of all "cases", without additional psychiatric consultation.