THE FIELD TRIAL OF THE MENTAL-DISORDERS SECTION OF ICD-10 DESIGNED FOR PRIMARY-CARE (ICD10-PHC) IN ENGLAND

This study reports the English field trial of a primary health care ve rsion of the section of ICD-10 dealing with mental disorders. The clas sification gives guidance on both diagnosis and management of 24 commo n disorders. Fifty doctors collaborated with the study, in four differ ent locations, and 40 completed all their assessments. The new classif ication has been well received, and there was an increase in the parti cipants' interest in mental disorders and in their confidence in makin g diagnoses. Use of the depression card increased the range of symptom s considered when making a diagnosis of depression, increased the thre shold for prescription of antidepressants, and added to the management s suggested for depressive illnesses. The many constructive comments m ade about the cards will be taken into account by WHO when the classif ication is revised later in 1995.