Australian general practice and the meeting of needs for mental health care

Abstract

Background: This report, drawing on a national epidemiological survey conducted in 1997, examines the role of Australian medical general practitioners (GPs) in responding to needs for mental health care. Methods: We analysed data from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing (NSMHWB). The NSMHWB employed clustered probability sampling of all Australian adults, and 10,641 participants were interviewed. The field questionnaire included modules of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and instruments assessing disability, service utilisation and perceived needs for care. Results: Eighty-four percent of people with a mental disorder consulted a GP in the year pri..