Managing patients with mental health conditions in family medicine: a qualitative study exploring the experiences of general practitioners' experiences in Switzerland

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Abstract
Background: General practitioners (GPs) frequently serve as the first or only point of contact for patients with mental health disorders, playing crucial roles in detection, prevention, and management. Despite this, many GPs feel poorly prepared to address mental health issues, often citing the barriers of limited time, heavy workloads, and insufficient training. Objectives: The present study's main objective was to make an in-depth exploration of the potential difficulties encountered by GPs as they manage and follow up with patients with mental health problems. Methods: Our qualitative approach involved semi-structured individual interviews with 17 GPs from French-speaking Switzerland. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis within an inductive theoretical framework. Once the most important themes and subthemes had emerged, we externally and internally validated them. Results: Four principal themes emerged. GPs reported that: (i) they enjoyed caring for patients with mental health issues, valuing their unique position in providing comprehensive, long-term support; (ii) they faced significant systemic barriers, including frustration with limitations related to Switzerland's health assurance scheme; (iii) collaboration with psychiatrists was lacking and resources were insufficient; and (iv) they required help and new ideas to improve the quality of their care. Conclusion: GPs' experiences revealed a mixed reality: their dedication to patient care existed alongside their frustration with systemic constraints, highlighting the complexity of mental health management in primary care. Sustainable improvements would require addressing gaps in caregivers' training, greater interprofessional collaboration, and more public health initiatives to mainstream mental health care into society.
Funding Information
  • Collège Romand de Médecine de Premier Recours

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