Patient experiences with depression care in general practice: a qualitative questionnaire study

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Mental Health Research
• Patient Experience Studies

Background:

• General practitioners (GPs) are frequently the initial point of contact for individuals experiencing depression.
• Understanding patient perspectives is crucial for optimizing depression care within primary care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patient experiences and preferences concerning depression care provided by general practitioners (GPs).

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study utilizing free-text responses from a 2017 web-based survey.
• Participants were recruited via an open invitation on a Norwegian mental health patient organization's website.
• Responses to four open-ended questions were analyzed using Template Analysis.

Main Results:

• Patients appreciated their GP's help and desired an empathetic, respectful, and understanding attitude.
• Involvement in treatment decisions, particularly regarding antidepressants and follow-up, was highly valued.
• Patients preferred not to self-refer for secondary mental healthcare and advocated for individualized sickness certification.

Conclusions:

• Patients in Norway generally appreciate the depression care received from their GPs.
• Patient involvement in treatment decision-making is a critical aspect of effective depression care.
• Individualized follow-up is essential for antidepressant prescriptions, mental healthcare referrals, and sickness absence certificates.