Managing mental illness in primary care - General Practitioners' perspective

Abstract

The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) conducted a survey to determine the specific areas in which the agency could work with General Practitioners (GPs) to enhance mental illness management in Singapore. This survey was conducted as part of AIC's engagement strategy and because the Primary Care Surveys 2010 and 2005 noted that a sizeable number of mental health cases are seen by GPs. Face-to-face interviews were conducted among a random sample of 849 group and non-group GPs. The GPs practise in four geographical districts in Singapore. 500 responses were obtained. 70% of the respondent GPs indicated that they were seeing patients with mental illness. Anxiety and depression were the most commonly seen mental conditions. The lack of available drugs and facilities in the clinic, and unfamiliarity with mental health patient management were the main reasons that GPs do not see patients with mental illness. 39% of the GPs referred patients to a psychologist. 36% of the GPs referred patients to a counsellor. Availability of additional allied health services in the neighbourhood was crucial in encouraging GPs to see more patients with mental illness. General geriatrics, dementia, general mental health and major depression were the areas of interest for further training.