Perceived Effectiveness of Mental Health Care Provided by Primary-Care Physicians and Mental Health Specialists

The authors used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being to estimate and compare perceived effectiveness of mental health care provided by general practitioners/family doctors (GP/FDs), by mental health specialists among those who visited GP/FDs, and by mental health specialists-only in the past 12 months (N = 2,859). The authors found that, in Canada, perceived effectiveness of mental health care provided by GP/FDs did not significantly differ from that provided by mental health specialists. Using services from both GP/FDs and mental health specialists and taking psychotropic medication improved perceived effectiveness of care.