A REVIEW ON MANAGEMENT OF COMMON MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS - CURRENT PRACTICE,PERCEIVED LIMITATIONS AND COMPETENCY OF FAMILY DOCTORS

Introduction and Objective: Mental health problems are commonly encountered in primary care setting and family doctors play an important role in providing continuity of care. This study aims to review the current practice, perceived limitations and competency of family doctors working in the public sector in Hong Kong, and to guide future service planning and doctor empowerment program. Method: A questionnaire was developed based on review of relevant literature and input from colleagues in our department. The questionnaire was validated by eight specialists in family medicine and sent to doctors working in 16 general out-patient clinics in the Kowloon West region. Results and conclusion: A response rate of 70% was achieved. All respondents agreed that continuity of care is important in managing common mental health problems and more than 85% agreed that a significant proportion of patients could be well managed by primary care physicians. However, only 15% of them arranged follow up for more than half of their patients with stable mental conditions. The main limitations were inadequate consultation time (97.4%), insufficient follow up appointment slot (86.8%) and inadequate knowledge of social resources (60.5%). Family doctors were less confident in providing information of social resources, offering basic counselling and deciding when to stop drug treatment. A flexible appointment system, reasonable consultation time and doctor empowerment program guided by regular training need analysis will enhance the role of family doctors in managing patients with common mental health problems.