Do mental health nurses take over care from general practitioners?

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine mental health care provided by general practitioners and by mental health nurses working in general practices. Design: Observational research. Method: We analysed how many consultations with patients with mental health problems were recorded in Dutch general practices in the period 2010-2014. General practices with and without a mental health nurse were compared, and we investigated which patients were mainly treated by mental health nurses. Results: An increasing number of patients visited the GP for mental health problems in the period 2010-2014. GPs collaborating with a mental health nurse recorded a somewhat higher number of patients with mental health problems than GPs without a mental health nurse, but used as many consultations per patient. Mental health nurses mainly treat females, adult patients, and patients with common mental health problems. Conclusion: Mental health nurses do not take over care from GPs, but provide additional mental health care to patients with mental health problems. Collaborating with a mental health nurse might increase GPs' alertness to record mental health problems.