Identifying anxiety in primary care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring barriers and facilitators to identifying anxiety disorders in primary care
IRAS ID
230360
Contact name
Maria Barnes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Anxiety is a growing problem in the UK and can be extremely disabling for sufferers. It is likely that anxiety is under-reported by patients and under-detected and under-treated by GPs. Anxiety is often experienced alongside depression and many other ‘physical’ illnesses. This can make it more difficult to spot and treat anxiety. Little is known about what happens in appointments between GPs and patients with anxiety disorders. A UK study investigated diagnosing anxiety disorders and described GPs not wanting to stigmatise patients by labelling them and not being sure of how to diagnose particular anxiety disorders. GPs felt more comfortable using broader codes for symptoms stating a variety of reasons including avoiding medicalising life events, lack of confidence in specific anxiety diagnoses and perceptions about the process and usefulness of coding in primary care. Findings we are hoping to elucidate further specifically to do with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).\n\nThe best way of investigating what can help or hinder identifying and treating anxiety, is to explore what actually goes on in GP appointments by video-taping consultations – with the patients consent. Looking at the videos, alongside interviewing patients and GPs, and looking at the doctors notes after the consultation, will give us a much clearer understanding of what influences the detection and treatment of anxiety disorders. We can then begin to work on ways to improve the identification and treatment of people who suffer from anxiety.\n\n
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SW/0204
Date of REC Opinion
18 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion