GPs' experiences with enhanced collaboration between psychiatry and general practice for children with ADHD.

Background: Most general practitioners (GPs) do not feel comfortable with diagnosing and treating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is problematic since ADHD is a prevalent disorder and an active role of GPs is desired. In the Netherlands a collaborative ADHD programme was established, comprising of shortened diagnostic assessment in specialized mental healthcare followed by psycho-education in mental healthcare and pharmacological treatment by pre-trained GPs.

[Summary of the Dutch College of General Practitioners' (NHG) practice guideline 'ADHD in children'].

The diagnosis of ADHD may be considered if a child is hyperactive, impulsive or inattentive, and if this behaviour results in evidently impaired functioning in multiple settings. Children with behavioural problems and slightly impaired functioning may benefit from patient information, education and parenting advice. From the age of 6 years, children can be offered diagnostic testing and professional support within the primary care setting, provided sufficient knowledge and expertise is available and there is collaboration with other health care providers.

[Proactive monitoring of sickness absence for psychosocial problems].

Psychosocial problems are common in daily practice. These problems are the cause of 30% of absence from work due to sickness. Almost one third of workers with common mental disorders experience recurrent sickness absence.

[Summarisation of the NHG practice guideline 'Anxiety'].

Anxiety and anxiety disorders are addressed in the practice guideline of the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG). It is important to distinguish anxiety and anxiety disorders because of differences in prognosis and treatment. Several visits may be needed before the diagnosis is established.

Effectiveness of problem-solving treatment by general practice registrars for patients with emotional symptoms.

Introduction: In general practice many patients present with emotional symptoms. Both patients and physicians desire effective non-pharmacological treatments.

Aim: To study the effectiveness of problem-solving treatment (PST) delivered by trained general practice registrars (GP registrars) for patients with emotional symptoms.

Problem-solving treatment in general practice residency: a focus group study of registrars' views.

Objective: General practitioner (GP) registrars often express the need for more expertise of non-pharmacological treatments for patients with mental health problems. Problem-solving treatment (PST) could be an attractive option. We aimed to explore GP registrars' views on PST-training during residency and on the actual use of PST in general practice.