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The prevalence and treatment of mental health conditions documented in general practice in Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2018

Jane O’Doherty ,
Ailish Hannigan ,
Louise Hickey ,
David Meagher ,
Walter Cullen ,
Raymond O’Connor  and
Andrew O’Regan
Jane O’Doherty*
Affiliation:
University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland
Ailish Hannigan
Affiliation:
University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland
Louise Hickey
Affiliation:
University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland
David Meagher
Affiliation:
University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland
Walter Cullen
Affiliation:
University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Raymond O’Connor
Affiliation:
University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland
Andrew O’Regan
Affiliation:
University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: J O’Doherty, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Ireland. (Email: Jane.ODoherty@ul.ie)
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Abstract

Objectives

As prevalence of mental health disorders increases worldwide, recognition and treatment of these disorders falls increasingly into the remit of primary care. This study investigated the prevalence and management of adults presenting to their general practitioner (GP) in Ireland with a psychological condition.

Methods

A random number function was used to select 100 patients with a consultation in the previous 2 years from 40 general practices around Ireland. The clinical records of these patients were examined using a standardised reporting tool to extract information on demographics, eligibility for free care, prevalence and treatment of psychological conditions.

Results

From a sample of 3845 ‘active’ patients, 620 (16%, 95% confidence interval 15–17%) had a documented psychological condition in the previous 2 years. The most common diagnoses were depression (54%) followed by stress and anxiety (47%). The following patient characteristics were associated with having a documented mental health condition: female gender; higher GP consultation rate; a referral or attendance at secondary care and eligibility for free GP care. Of those with a psychological condition, 34% received a psychological intervention and 81% received a pharmacological intervention.

Conclusions

The overall prevalence estimate of mental health disorders for this sample was lower than previously documented in primary care. Patients diagnosed with mental health disorders had higher utilisation of health services and pharmacological treatment was common.

Keywords

General practicemental healthmorbiditypsychological conditionsreferral pathways
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 37 , Issue 1 , March 2020 , pp. 24 - 31
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2018

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