[Psychiatric problems and therapeutic measures in the office of the general practitioner]

The results of a survey of mental disorders identified from General Practitioners in their offices, in a quarter of Padua are presented. The findings emphasize the role of the General Practitioner in psychiatric care delivery (12% of the patients have been judged "psychiatric case" and these patients obtain treatment from General Practitioner in 70% of the cases). About half of "psychiatric patients" present a depressive illness. In 46% of the cases the General Practitioners have pointed out a close relationship between social difficulties and psychological problems. In 59% of the cases mental and somatic disorders are closely linked together. Implications of these findings in the prospect of a collaboration between psychiatric services and primary care then discussed.