EPIDEMIOLOGIC RESEARCH IN PRIMARY-CARE

Primary care has become the focal point for the attention of mental he alth problems. In this paper we analyze the most recent research proje cts in this field, including our recent survey of mental health in two provinces in the north of Spain. We found that more that 10% of the g eneral population consult their general practitioner (GP) about new il lness and 1 in 5 of them could be attributed to the presence of psychi atric disorders. Less than 50% of psychiatric disorders are detected b y the GP. The disabilities generated by psychiatric illness are equiva lent, or even worse, than those seen in patients with major medical co nditions. Knowledge of the reasons for non-recognition has been the re ason for development of programmes aimed at recognition and management of mental illness by the GP.