Pierce David, Gunn Jane
Rural Health Academic Centre, The University of Melbourne, Ballarat, Victoria. d.pierce@unimelb
Aust Fam Physician. 2011 May;40(5):334-6.
General practitioners have expressed concern that consultations offering psychological therapy approaches will take up too much time. However, problem solving therapy (PST) for depression may be able to be used within the time constraints of general practice. This study investigates whether GPs' concerns that PST would result in unacceptably long consultations are justified.
general practitioners were observed providing PST in simulated consultations before and after PST training - PST skill and duration of consultations were measured.
Twenty-four GPs participated. Problem solving therapy skill increased markedly, but mean consultation duration changed minimally: 17.3 minutes and 17.9 minutes.
This research suggests that GPs can provide an evidence supported psychological treatment for depression within the time constraints of routine practice. The structured nature of PST may allow GPs to provide additional mental healthcare for depression, without significantly increasing consultation duration. It suggests GPs' concerns about the time PST may take up in practice may be unjustified and that further research into the use of PST in routine general practice should be undertaken.
全科医生担心提供心理治疗方法的会诊会占用过多时间。然而，针对抑郁症的问题解决疗法（PST）或许能够在全科医疗的时间限制内使用。本研究调查了全科医生关于PST会导致会诊时间长到无法接受这一担忧是否合理。
观察全科医生在接受PST培训前后的模拟会诊中提供PST的情况——测量PST技能和会诊时长。
24名全科医生参与。问题解决疗法技能显著提高，但平均会诊时长变化极小：分别为17.3分钟和17.9分钟。
本研究表明，全科医生能够在常规医疗的时间限制内为抑郁症提供循证心理治疗。PST的结构化性质可能使全科医生能够为抑郁症提供额外的心理保健服务，而不会显著增加会诊时长。这表明全科医生对PST在实际应用中可能占用时间的担忧或许不合理，应该对PST在常规全科医疗中的应用进行进一步研究。
