Doctors failing to uncover problems

GPs and hospital staff are failing to spot undiagnosed mental
health problems in patients attending surgeries and A&E
departments for physical ailments, according to new research.

Researchers at Keele University found that a “significant minority”
of people attending surgeries in Cheshire required mental health
treatment but were not receiving any. The findings were revealed at
the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ annual meeting last week.

Another study of 300 people attending an A&E department in
Manchester revealed that many had suffered a major trauma. One
fifth of those had undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder.

The conference was also told that some people with depression were
turning to the internet for help rather than their doctor.

It was proposed that the concept of patient confidentiality should
be replaced by a system of disclosure with consent.