Management of service networks in primary health care

Abstract

Mental disorders are a major public health problem and depression has been projected to be the primary cause of disease burden by 2030. A key challenge for Australian primary health care system is to find evidence-based interventions and modalities that will avert this burden. The current report summarises the activities and outcomes of an APHCRI-funded visit to Australia by Professor Pim Cuijpers, an international expert in the prevention of mental disorders, in strategies for delivering cost-effective mental health care in general practice and in e-mental health. In this report, primary health care refers not only to care provided in general practice but also to the provision of first level care in other settings including the delivery of e-health services and prevention direct to the public. Both general practice care and the latter broader aspects of primary health care were covered by Professor Cuijpers visit.