PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN PRIMARY PUBLIC-HEALTH CARE - A MULTICENTER INVESTIGATION .2. HIDDEN MORBIDITY AND CHOICE OF TREATMENT

A total of 1281 patients were examined during consultation with their GP in a Nordic multicentre study focusing on the prevalence of psychia tric illness, hidden psychiatric morbidity, treatment and pathways to specialized care. The methodology and prevalence were reported in an a ccompanying paper. The present paper presents results concerning the v ariables hidden psychiatric morbidity, treatment and pathways to speci alized care. The GPs detected 44% of the psychiatric cases compared wi th the result of a diagnostic interview (PSE). The distinction between psychosis and nonpsychosis did not influence the GPs' ability to dete ct a mental illness. According to the GPs' assessment the majority of patients suffering from a mental disorder consulted their GP about phy sical complaints. The GPs treated the patients themselves, and only a limited number of cases were referred to psychiatrists or psychologist s.