Domestic violence and the general practitioner.

Domestic violence is a common social problem that raises many difficult questions and management issues for both the patient and the doctor. Domestic violence is an abuse of power within the relationship. Physical assault is common and serious, but psychological abuse is more damaging. Perpetrators of domestic violence do not usually perceive that they have a problem and no change in their behaviour is possible unless they want to change. For general practitioners the first step in dealing with domestic violence is detection, and that means acknowledging that it can exist in any patient. General practitioners have three choices in their management of victims of domestic violence: they can do nothing, they can be sympathetic only or they can be an agent of change. Effective management of domestic violence involves raising the victim's self-esteem so that she is able to alter her situation herself.

Management and attitudes of epilepsy by a group of Sydney general practitioners.

Previous surveys of general practitioners (GPs) have shown stereotypic attitudes and management of persons with epilepsy (PWE). We mailed a questionnaire to 107 GPs in the Sydney and Illawarra regions of Australia to evaluate changes in knowledge and management of epilepsy and attitudes of GPs toward PWE as compared with results of a similar study made 10 years previously. Most GPs referred patients with epilepsy to a neurologist for initial management in preference to initiating investigation and treatment themselves. GPs were very satisfied with their sharing of care with neurologists, but indicated their high level of dissatisfaction with other health care therapists because of impractical advice and lack of empathy. The GPs' objectives of continuing management were mainly to prevent seizures, monitor of medication and its effects, and reduce the impact of patients' epilepsy on their daily life. Although many GPs believed that PWE were more likely to have emotional and relationship problems, most also believed that such persons contribute equally to society and can have normal quality of life (QOL). Although the GPs prefer to use a neurologist for initial management of PWE, they see themselves as having a role in continuing care and providing psychosocial support. The stereotyped perceptions of GPs indicated in the previous study have improved, although in some respects they remain negative. This study offers an audit of the outcome of a decade of educational promotion regarding epilepsy.

Anxiety and depression in general practice patients: prevalence and management.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression in general practice patients and assess management of these conditions by general practitioners (GPs). METHOD: A random sample of 212 GPs were approached to be interviewed and to conduct a patient survey and audit on 50 consecutive patient consultations during 1993. PARTICIPANTS: 117 GPs (55% response rate) and 4867 patients (85%) who completed questionnaires suitable for analysis. SETTING: General practices in two areas (divisions of general practice) in Sydney, New South Wales. RESULTS: Thirty-six per cent of patients had abnormal scores on a General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12); they were more likely to be women or to be unemployed. Twenty per cent of these patients had been treated for depression or anxiety in the previous 12 months; 52% were prescribed drug therapy, and were more likely to be older, male or unemployed. Seventy per cent of patients reported having been offered therapy by their GP that did not involve drugs. Twenty-four per cent had been referred to another health professional; they were more likely to be younger, or men, or patients attending their usual doctor. CONCLUSIONS: A brief screening instrument may improve GPs' detection rate of patients with anxiety or depression. The high prevalence of these conditions in unemployed people deserves particular attention by GPs. Both drug and non-drug therapies are being more appropriately applied in general practice than previously.