What are the barriers faced by general practitioners in treating depression and anxiety in Hong Kong?

Abstract

Barriers faced by general practitioners in Hong Kong to manage patients with depression and anxiety disorders and their association with postgraduate qualification in family medicine were studied. Postal questionnaires were sent to 179 family medicine tutors affiliated with a university in Hong Kong with a response rate of 64.2%. 'Too time consuming' was the largest barrier for these physicians in treating patients with depression and anxiety. General practitioners without higher qualifications in family medicine were significantly more likely to report 'lack of confidence', 'lack of experience' and 'lack of supporting service' as being the barriers in treating patients with depression and anxiety. Our results showed that time constraint is an important barrier for general practitioners in managing patients with depression and anxiety in Hong Kong. Having a higher qualification in family medicine may reduce the barriers of having lack of confidence and experience in these physicians.