The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging all Australians to speak to their regular GP if they have mental health concerns, as its national survey revealed Australian GPs identify mental health as the most concerning health issue of the future.
RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said continuity of care is crucial in the management of mental illness.
“The prevalence of mental illness in Australia is alarmingly common and GPs have a unique relationship with their patients based on trust that is essential to treating it,” Dr Seidel said.
“Patients who maintain strong relationships with a usual GP or practice team experience better health outcomes.
“Patients want health, not necessarily treatment. This is best delivered from a patient’s regular GP – someone they trust, who knows their history and circumstances.
Dr Seidel said mental health issues are dominating Australian GPs’ time.
“It is not musculoskeletal problems patients are presenting with most often, or cardiovascular disease – the stock standard medical presentations we always hear about,” Dr Seidel said.
“It is psychological issues GPs are dealing with most of the time.”
Mental health was cited as a top-three issue by 65% of female GPs and 53% of male GPs in the RACGP’s benchmark annual report, General Practice: Health of the Nation 2017.
Dr Seidel said, as well as having a trusting relationship with their patients, GPs also have the skills to treat mental illness.
“All GPs are trained in mental health,” Dr Seidel said.
“I don’t only refer my patients to an iPhone app to have some online counselling. That is not the level of comprehensive care GPs offer.
“We don’t specialise in one particular condition or disease, we specialise in our patients.
“Patients want and a dialogue with a real person, a real doctor they can trust. Engaging with a predictive algorithm in a context free virtual world is not delivering the mental health outcomes our patients deserve.”
General Practice: Health of the Nation 2017 also found GPs identify mental health as the health issue causing most concern for the future.
“This is a clear warning of both the current frequency and future potential impact of psychological ailments on individuals, the community and the broader health sector,” Dr Seidel said.
Visit the RACGP’s website for more information about General Practice: Health of the Nation 2017.