Treating Mental Health in the Primary Care Setting

Treating Mental Health in the Primary Care Setting is organized by Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS).

Original Release Date: Sep 27, 2021
Termination Date: Sep 27, 2024

Intended Audience:
This activity is designed for health care leaders, physicians, residents, other health care professionals and students in all health care professions.

Course Overview
Patients who seek treatment from their primary care or family practice physicians for physical illnesses may also suffer from latent related or unrelated mental illnesses.  A patient may present with physical symptoms, but the underlying problem could actually be a mental illness, such as depression.  This course details the high incidences of a person with mental illness being treated in general practice settings, and how general practice physicians can screen for mental illness as well as evaluate statements of suicidal ideation. 

Course Objectives:
• Explain the important role that primary care and family practice physicians play in providing the majority of mental health services.
• Recall the ways to evaluate a patient’s statement about suicide.
• Restate -Summarize the role and benefits of an integrated mental health professional.
• Describe the risks associated with treating a patient with mental illness, and ways to minimize those risks.