This project contributes to understanding lived experiences of common mental health problems and how they present in primary care. It specifically focuses on how these lived experiences are mediated through narrative acquisition and analysis
In 2007, a census of GP practices examined the proportion of psychological/emotional problems that presented on a given day. Seven practices participated, totalling 849 consultations with 35 GPs. GPs were asked designate consultations from the following categories: purely administrative; primarily physical; primarily psychological; both physical and psychological. The census revealed a total of 15.8% (n= 108) of psychological/emotional problems (primarily psychological: 8.2%, n= 56, both physical and psychological: 7.6%, n=52).
From this cohort, 30 case notes from consenting patients were examined to determine patterns of service use; index consultations; and the complexity of the problem in terms of the differing levels/types of services involved. Of these, 12 were new and 18 were ongoing problems. From these cases, we have deduced five levels of service use that can be explained in terms of case note narratives and personnel involved.