Models of mental health training for primary care physicians

Of the 15% of the population with DSM III diagnosable disorders, 54% are seen exclusively by their primary care physician or by other health professionals. To understand how primary care physicians are prepared for this task the authors attempted to develop a taxonomy of mental health training programs for primary care physicians by: review of the literature, interviews with program sponsors, review of NIMH training grants, and site visits to teaching programs. From this process six program types were defined: consultation, liaison, bridge, hybrid, autonomous, and postgraduate specialization. The characteristics and emphasis of these model types are described as well as program needs for future training. Competence in psychosomatic medicine, psychophysiologic reactions, and the interactions of biologic, psychologic, and social factors in health and disease can be imparted to primary care physicians by such mental health training program designs.