The burden of psychiatric disorder in primary care

Abstract

In this paper, with the aid of several approaches to evaluating the burden of psychiatric disorder in primary care, it is demonstrated that they impose a considerable burden. Moreover, in addition to the traditional view that neurosis is responsible for this burden, evidence is provided to demonstrate that psychotic disorders are imposing an increasing amount of it. Implications of this burden are discussed in the light of the new general practice contracts, community care legislation, the purchaser/provider concept, the general trends in community care philosophy and demographic shifts. Some issues involving service planning and reseach are also discussed.