Abstract

RINCON-HOYOS, Hernán G. et al. Would the Screening of Common Mental Disorders in Primary-Care Health Services Hyper-Frequent Patients Be Useful?. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2012, vol.41, n.4, pp.853-866. ISSN 0034-7450.

Hyper-frequentation in health services is a problem for patients, their families and the institutions. This study is aimed at deter-mining the frequency and characteristics of common mental disorders in hyper-frequent patients showing vague symptoms and signs at a primary healthcare service during the year 2007 in the city of Cali (Colombia). Methodology: Cross sectional. The most frequent mental disorders in hyper-frequent patients were detected through a telephone interview which included several modules of the PRIME MD instrument. Results: In general, healthcare service hyper-frequenters are working women, 38,7-year old in average. Basically, the consultation is due to cephalalgia but they also exhibit a high prevalence of common mental disorders (somatization, depression and anxiety) not easily diagnosed by physicians in primary care. Expenses for additional health activities generated by these patients are attributed basically to medical consultation and required procedures. Conclusion: Considering hyper-frequenters in health care services as a risk group in terms of common mental disorders involves screening as an efficient strategy to prevent abuse in service use and to improve satisfaction with the attention received.

Keywords : Health services misuse; primary health; depression; anxiety; somatoform disorders.

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