Patel, Shireen, Kai, Joe, Atha, Christopher, Avery, Anthony, Guo, Boliang, James, Marilyn, Malins, Samuel, Sampson, Christopher James, Stubley, Michelle and Morriss, Richard K.
(2015)
Clinical characteristics of persistent frequent attenders in primary care: case–control study.
Family Practice
.
ISSN 1460-2229
(In Press)
Full text not available from this repository.
Abstract
Background. Most frequent attendance in primary care is temporary, but persistent frequent attendance is expensive and may be suitable for psychological intervention. To plan appropriate intervention and service delivery, there is a need for research involving standardized psychiatric interviews with assessment of physical health and health status.
Objective. To compare the mental and physical health characteristics and health status of persistent frequent attenders (FAs) in primary care, currently and over the preceding 2 years, with normal attenders (NAs) matched by age, gender and general practice.
Methods. Case–control study of 71 FAs (30 or more GP or practice nurse consultations in 2 years) and 71 NAs, drawn from five primary care practices, employing standardized psychiatric interview, quality of life, health anxiety and primary care electronic record review over the preceding 2 years.
Results. Compared to NAs, FAs were more likely to report a lower quality of life (P < 0.001), be unmarried (P = 0.03) and have no educational qualifications (P = 0.009) but did not differ in employment status. FAs experienced greater health anxiety (P < 0.001), morbid obesity (P = 0.02), pain (P < 0.001) and long-term pathological and ill-defined physical conditions (P < 0.001). FAs had more depression including dysthymia, anxiety and somatoform disorders (all P < 0.001).
Conclusions. Persistent frequent attendance in primary care was associated with poor quality of life and high clinical complexity characterized by diverse and often persistent physical and mental multimorbidity. A brokerage model with GPs working in close liaison with skilled psychological therapists is required to manage such persistent complexity.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| RIS ID: |
https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/764363 |
| Additional Information: |
This article has been accepted for publication in Family Practice. Published by Oxford University Press. |
| Keywords: |
Medically Unexplained Symptoms, Primary Care, mental health, Depression, Mood Disorder, Quality of Life, Anxiety, Anxiety
Disorder, Access to Care |
| Schools/Departments: |
University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology
University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Primary Care
University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmv076 |
| Depositing User: |
Sampson, Mr Christopher
|
| Date Deposited: |
14 Oct 2015 11:16 |
| Last Modified: |
04 May 2020 17:20 |
| URI: |
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/30459 |
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