The general practitioner's identification and management of emotional disorders

Abstract

In summary, a systematic survey of Sydney metropolitan general practice consultations revealed an appreciable level of emotional disorder in one sixth of the patients. Doctors noted a similar number of patients in whom emotional and social factors were important in that day's consultation. There was concordance of assessment in only one third of the patients and as there are reasons for believing that the questionnaire is valid, inspection of the age and sex differences suggests that the doctors' perception of emotional problmes may be affected by cultural stereotypes of who is likely to be emotionally ill. In contrast, once cases are recognized, the provision of appropriate treatment such as counselling and drugs appears to be prudently and rationally prescribed.