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The British Journal of Psychiatry The British Journal of Psychiatry

Article contents

Needs for mental health treatment among general practice attenders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Jed Boardman ,
Carol Henshaw  and
Sasi Willmott
Jed Boardman*
Affiliation:
Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Carol Henshaw
Affiliation:
School of Medicine
Sasi Willmott
Affiliation:
School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
*
Dr Jed Boardman, Chaucer Community Resource Centre, 13 Ann Moss Way, London SE162TH, UK. E-mail: jed.boardman@slam.nhs.uk
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Abstract

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Background

No study has directly assessed the need for mental health care among those consulting in general practice.

Aims

To make a direct assessment of the needs for mental health care in people with non-psychotic disorders consulting their general practitioner.

Method

In a two-phase study design, consecutive general practice attenders aged 17–65 years were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM–IV Axis I Disorders. Needs for care were assessed using the community version of the Medical Research Council Needs for Care Assessment Schedule.

Results

Three hundred and thirty-six people were interviewed. The overall prevalence of need was 27.3%. More than half of the consulters (59.6%) had unmet needs and a further 6.2% had partially met needs. Needs were met in 28.1% and unmeetable in 6.2%. The prevalence of unmet need in those with anxiety disorders was 13.9% and depressive disorders 9.5%.

Conclusions

The unmet need for mental health treatment in primary care attenders is high.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 185 , Issue 4 , October 2004 , pp. 318 - 327
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

Footnotes

Declaration of interest

None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.

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