What is the place of generalism in mental health care in Australia?: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Mental health disorders are the leading cause of the disability burden in Australia. Only 40% of people with a mental disorder report receiving treatment. General practitioners (GPs) and generalist providers are essential service providers for this population. This review examines the role of generalists in Australian mental health care, the elements of care they can provide effectively, the supports they need, and the implications for workforce arrangements and policyThe research reported in this paper is a project of the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute, which is supported by a grant from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development Strategy