Which Patients Might Visit a Primary Care Physician for Mental Health Reasons?
June 25, 2018 | Strategic Insights for Ambulatory Care
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Location and age matter when it comes to whether a patient visits a psychiatrist or primary care provider for a mental-health-related reason, according to a June 6, 2018, data brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nationwide, adults visited psychiatrists for mental healthcare more often than primary care physicians, regardless of gender, for nearly all age groups. However, patients older than age 65 were more likely to visit a primary care physician for a mental health reason. Additionally, in rural areas, 54% of visits for mental healthcare were made to primary care physicians, while 29% were made to visiting psychiatrists.