1 in 9 patients visit primary care for mental health concerns – study reveals

Researchers at Duke University, after analysing millions of patient visits to primary care physicians, found that mental health concerns are second only
to musculoskeletal complaints, such as aches and pains, in everyday care.

According to the study, one in nine patients sought care primarily for a mental health concern, a figure that increases to one in five for those in mid-life
Published recently in Nature Mental Health, the study indicated that the prevalence of mental health concerns is nearly equal to that of respiratory and
cardiovascular complaints, surpassing infections, injuries, digestive health, skin conditions, urological problems, and sensory issues.

Led by Avshalom Caspi, the Edward M. Arnett Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, the researchers examined over 350 million primary care
visits involving 4.8 million people from January 2006 to December 2019, as recorded by the Norwegian government.

Caspi noted that 12 per cent of all encounters with primary care physicians were for mental health problems, i.e. more than 40 million mental health visits out
of the total.