Small groups for supporting GPs' professional development in mental health disease--an evaluation

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Mental Health Care
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Small groups facilitate education, information exchange, clinical skill enhancement, and peer support.
• These groups are increasingly promoted in Australian general practice, particularly for mental health conditions, often facilitated by general practice divisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the content and themes within psychiatrist-supervised small groups for general practitioners (GPs) over five years.
• To gather feedback from GPs on the perceived value and benefits of participating in these small groups.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of minutes from psychiatrist-supervised small groups over a 5-year period.
• Conducting focus groups with GP participants to assess the value of the small groups.

Main Results:

• Forty-two GPs participated in small groups (average size 2-3) over three years, with many attending multiple sessions.
• The most frequently discussed conditions included depression, psychosis, personality disorders, drug/alcohol abuse, anxiety disorders, and suicide.
• Discussions on doctor-patient relationships and self-care increased significantly, from under 2% in 1995 to nearly 10% in 2000.
• GPs reported feeling empowered, experiencing increased confidence, and finding the groups valuable for managing psychological and interpersonal workplace issues.

Conclusions:

• GPs found participation in small groups to be a valuable experience.
• The study highlights the utility of small groups for professional development and support in general practice, particularly for mental health.