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Table 3 GP technique to facilitate discussion of anxiety

From: Prioritising physical and psychological symptoms: what are the barriers and facilitators to the discussion of anxiety in the primary care consultation?

 

Examples used by GPs in interview

Open questioning

start with a very open question to your consultation… not kind of hone down on anything too quickly because then it allows them to direct us to what they feel may be important

Physical observation

Rapid speech, agitation, wringing of the hands, whether they’re tearful, how they’re talking

Attending to lists

people will come to the end of their three or four things and mental health is one of them

Asking about anxiety in key conditions

if there’s a physical issue for example bowel problems or sleep problems or palpitations then you do tend to ask about the stress and anxiety and mood