Detecting and treating depressed or anxious patients quickly could help reduce GP consultation rates in the long-term, according to a study. The research, published in Family Practice, examined consulting behavior in 148 patients with a depressive, anxiety or panic disorder. All were frequent attenders – during the six-month study period 30 per cent consulted seven or more times, and 10 per cent consulted 12 or more times. Researchers found that patients with worsening depressive symptoms had a median consultation rate of eight, compared with five in patients with improving or stable depression scores.
(Pulse 06/05/02; p.16)

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