Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care - A Qualitative Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patients’ and Practitioners’ views on detecting, diagnosing and managing Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care
IRAS ID
242544
Contact name
Charlotte Archer
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 16 days
Research summary
Anxiety disorders are a common mental disorder seen in primary care. It has been suggested that there has been a 40% increase in generalised anxiety disorder in the general population between 2007 and 2014. Whilst GP recording of anxiety symptoms has also increased, GP recording of anxiety disorders has decreased between 1998 to 2008. It is not clear why there is a disparity between the increase seen in the general population and estimates based on GP recordings of anxiety disorders, but it may be due to a reluctance by GPs to label patients with an anxiety disorder. In addition, anxiety and depression frequently co-occur, and there may be a tendency by GPs to prioritise recording depression over anxiety, potentially as a result of the 2014 Quality and Outcome’s Framework. However, little is known about how GPs view the labelling and recording of anxiety, and their experience of discussing symptoms of anxiety or anxiety disorders with patients. Moreover, research suggests that patients may feel reluctant to seek help because they think that GPs may see symptoms as ‘trivial, or there is a lack of encouragement by GPs to disclose psychological problems. Yet to date, no study in the UK has asked patients specifically about their views and experiences of seeking help for anxiety.
The aim of this study is to interview patients, GPs, and clinicians who provide therapy to those with anxiety disorders, to understand how they view and experience the identification, diagnosis and management of anxiety disorders. Around 15 GPs, 20 patients, and 15 therapists will be interviewed. The interviews will be audio-recorded, fully transcribed and analysed so that the views practitioners and patients hold towards specific issues can be summarised and highlighted. By understanding more about these issues, we aim to improve patient care and outcomes for this group.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0088
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion