Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the psychiatric diagnoses and psychotropic drug prescription by psychiatrists and non psychiatrist physicians (general practitioners and physicians of other disciplines). Methods: Sample group consists of 95 consecutive patients of our outpatient clinic, who were previously examined by general practitioners, specialty physicians and private practice psychiatrists. Preliminary diagnoses of and psychotropic drugs prescribed to the study group were evaluated. Axis I disorders of these patients were diagnosed with SCID-I; Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (Ham-A) were used to evaluate their depression and Anxiety; Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) was used to evaluate their general clinical condition. Sociodemographic features, previous treatment plans were determined with questionuaries. Results: The most frequent diagnoses by non psychiatrist physicians (NPP), neurologists (N) and private practice psychiatrists (PPP) were anxiety disorders and depression. The most frequently prescribed drugs were SSRI?s. NPP tended to prescribe minimal effective doses which was statistically significant. The PPP patients usually had prenous psychiatric treatments. The treatments that had been administered to the PPP group were superior in terms of accuracy and management. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety disorders should be assessed in patients who present with somatic complaints. Appropriate drug regime, dose and duration; appropriate interview intervals are important.

Key words: Primary care, non psychiatrist physician, private practice psychiatrist, drug presciption pattern