Research Article

Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases

Volume: 18 Number: 4 February 17, 2025
TR EN

Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases

Abstract

Objective: Mental disorders are highly prevalent in the general population and associated with low quality of life. Mental disorders in primary care are common but under-recognized and managed suboptimal. This study aims at assessing primary care physicians’ approach to mental disorders and related educational needs. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed between July 15, 2015 and August 15, 2015. We aimed to reach the whole population without sample selection. A total of 159 physicians working at family medicine centres in the city centre of Denizli were invited and 151 physicians (95%) agreed to participate. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews by using a questionnaire designed by the investigators. Results: Family physicians stated to believe that approximately 25% of their patients have psychiatric problems but they think to have only diagnosed 4.6% of them. The most common barrier mentioned in diagnosing and treating mental disorders was lack of time. It was observed that family physicians have positive attitudes towards mental disorders. Among patients with a mental disease diagnosed by family physicians, 50% were prescribed drugs and 25% were referred to a psychiatrist. It was noticed that the majority of the family physicians believed to be partially sufficient in the management of mental disorders. Education in mental disorders was stated to be necessary by 78.8% of the physcians. Conclusion: It was determined that the majority of family physicians found themselves partially competent in the management of mental illnesses, were aware of their deficiencies in terms of mental illnesses, and were open to training. It could be beneficial to provide training in line with the needs of physicians.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Destekleyen herhangi bir kurum yoktur

Project Number

Proje numarası yoktur

Thanks

Desteklerinden dolayı tez danışmanım Prof. Dr. Tamer Edirneye teşekkür ederim.

References

  1. 1. WHO. Health Topic Mental Health. Available at: http://www.who.int/topics/mental-health/en/,2014. [Accessed 1 October 2015].
  2. 2. WHO. Regional Office. Available at: http://www.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/mental-health,2015. [ Accessed 10 October 2015].
  3. 3. T.C. Sağlık Bakanlığı Türkiye Ruh Sağlığı Profili Raporu (1998). Available at: http://tr.scribd.com/doc/118803955/Türkiye-Ruh-Sağlığı-Profili-Raporu-1998. [ Accessed 6 October 2015].
  4. 4. WHO. İntergrating Mental Health İnto Primary Care: a Global Perspective. Available at: http://www.into/mentalhealth/.../mentalhealthintoprimarycare/.../index.html,2014. [Accessed 10 October 2015].
  5. 5. Watson DE, Heppner P, Roos NP, Pield RJ, Katz A. Population-Based Use of Mental Health Services and Patients of Delivery Among Family Psychiatry. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 2005; 50(7):398-406.
  6. 6. Wun YT, Lam TP, Goldberg D, Lam KF, Li KT, Yip KC. Reasons for Preferring a Primary Care Physician for Care if Depressed. Family Medicine 2011; 43(5):344-350.
  7. 7. WHO. Prevalance of Disorders. Available at: http:// http://www.who.int/whr/2001/chapter 2/en/index 2.htlm. [Accessed 15 October 2015]
  8. 8. Ayrancı Ü, Yenilmez Ç. Eskişehir İlinde Birinci Basamak Kurumlarında Verilen Ruh Sağlığı Hizmetlerinin Değerlendirilmesi. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi 2002; 13(2):115-124.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Family Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

December 1, 2024

Publication Date

February 17, 2025

Submission Date

May 23, 2023

Acceptance Date

September 7, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 18 Number: 4

APA
Kartal Taş, A., & Edirne, T. (2025). Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 18(4), 441-446. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1301011
AMA
1.Kartal Taş A, Edirne T. Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases. TJFMPC. 2025;18(4):441-446. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1301011
Chicago
Kartal Taş, Ayten, and Tamer Edirne. 2025. “Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 18 (4): 441-46. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1301011.
EndNote
Kartal Taş A, Edirne T (February 1, 2025) Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 18 4 441–446.
IEEE
[1]A. Kartal Taş and T. Edirne, “Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases”, TJFMPC, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 441–446, Feb. 2025, doi: 10.21763/tjfmpc.1301011.
ISNAD
Kartal Taş, Ayten - Edirne, Tamer. “Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 18/4 (February 1, 2025): 441-446. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1301011.
JAMA
1.Kartal Taş A, Edirne T. Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases. TJFMPC. 2025;18:441–446.
MLA
Kartal Taş, Ayten, and Tamer Edirne. “Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, vol. 18, no. 4, Feb. 2025, pp. 441-6, doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1301011.
Vancouver
1.Ayten Kartal Taş, Tamer Edirne. Evaluation of Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches to Mental Health and Diseases. TJFMPC. 2025 Feb. 1;18(4):441-6. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1301011

English or Turkish manuscripts from authors with new knowledge to contribute to understanding and improving health and primary care are welcome. 


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