General practice encounters for psychological problems in rural, remote and metropolitan areas in Australia

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Previous Australian research suggests there is very little difference in the prevalence of mental health disorders across rural, remote and metropolitan areas. However, mental health specialists are particularly scarce in rural and remote areas and some researchers have argued that non-metropolitan residents rely heavily on general practitioners (GPs) for mental health care. This article investigated rates of GP services for psychological problems across rural, remote and metropolitan areas. METHOD: The Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program, Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data were used in this report. Data included all psychological, depression ..