Urban public attitudes to the treatment of psychological problems and depression in general practice

A previous national study of public attitudes to depression indicated that only 17% spontaneously mentioned their
general practitioner as someone who could help with depression, in contrast to 79% of respondents being willing to
consult their G.P. in a similar U.K. survey. The present study undertook to examine the public perception of an
urban sample to the treatment of depression in general practice and the factors associated with expressed
unwillingness to consult. A random sample from the electoral register was drawn and 54 (89%) of 61 subjects selected
were interviewed. While 85% of respondents were satisfied with their general practice care, only 24% to 52%,
depending on the context and wording of the question, said that they would seek help from their general practitioner
for depression. Factors associated with an expressed reluctance to consult were being male, dissatisfied with
general practitioner care and believing that general practitioners were not qualified to treat depression.