Lidija  Petrović-Dovat,Nina  Smiljanić,Petrović-Bodor Olivera ,
Depression and Anxiety identified to be the Most Commonly Reported Mental Health problems by General Practitioners
Psychological Disorders and Research
2018
2674-2470
http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.PDR.2018.10.004
https://www.sciencerepository.org/depression-and-anxiety-identified-to-be-the-most-commonly-reported-mental-health-problems-by-general-practitioners_PDR-1-104 
Abstract: Introduction: General practitioners (GPs) regularly provide care for adult patients with
psychological/psychiatric problems and prescribe appropriate medications (either independently or in
consultation with a psychiatrist).
Objectives: We established a list of the most common mental health problems GPs encounter during daily
practice and suggested solutions to increase their competence in identifying and selecting appropriate
treatments.
Methods: We designed and conducted a voluntary survey; we collected data from 55 outpatient GPs at
multiple outpatient clinics in Novi Sad, Serbia, which has a Universal Health Care System. Collected data
were analyzed using including descriptive and analytical statistics.
Results: Psychological/psychiatric problems were most commonly identified during GPs’ interviews with
patients (70.9%) and by utilizing evidence-based behavioral health-screening instruments. Anxiety (80.0%)
and depression/depressed mood (78.2%) were the two most frequently reported problems. To increase
competence in diagnosing and treating patients with psychological/psychiatric problems, 76.3% of GPs
identified the need for additional educational opportunities that address psychotropic medications used for
depression, and 54.5% identified the need for topics related to initiating and managing antidepressant
therapy.
Conclusions: The most common psychological/psychiatric problems that GPs encounter in their practice
are anxiety and depression. To increase competency in treating these problems, GPs will benefit from
additional learning opportunities and training related to assessment and pharmacological treatment of
patients with depression and anxiety disorders.Keywords: General practitioner, psychological problems, psychiatric problems,depression,anxiety,antidepressant drugs,education