Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) are navigating increased demand for depression care, despite significant workload pressures. According to a recent survey, depression consultations now account for a substantial portion of their daily responsibilities, with many GPs providing talking therapy as a cornerstone of their treatment approach. The findings were published in the journal BMC Primary Care.
Dr Ina Lill Skurtveit Grung, a general practitioner and research fellow at the NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, explained the motivation behind the study: “I see a lot of patients suffering from depression. I take a special interest in mental health care, and in 2017 I joined a research group in Bergen, Norway, working on a large project on depression care in general practice, called The Norwegian GP-DEP study.”
The study highlighted that over 80% of GPs often allocate more than 30 minutes for each depression consultation, a considerable increase compared to the typical consultation length. GPs younger than 40 and those with shorter patient lists were more likely to spend extended time with their patients. But the challenges of managing high patient volumes remain evident, as seven out of ten practitioners reported experiencing persistent time pressure.
Talking therapy emerged as a preferred method among both patients and GPs. Dr Grung added that their research found “most GPs experienced that patients with depression were interested in their professional assessment and regarded them as a provider of talking therapy – nevertheless, they often experienced that patients wanted a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist.”
Nearly 80% of GPs stated that they frequently offer talking therapy, and many believed it to be beneficial for addressing patients’ needs. Interestingly, most GPs reported that they feel their efforts in depression care have a positive impact, with 92% considering their support helpful to patients. Despite this, one in four practitioners admitted to feeling underqualified to provide such therapy, highlighting a gap in training.
Patients’ expectations also play a role in shaping depression care. While a majority of patients appreciate their GPs’ professional assessments, many still anticipate referrals to specialists for psychological support. This dual expectation underscores the need for a robust primary care system that balances talking therapy with access to specialised mental health services.
Dr Grung highlighted the commitment GPs maintain in the face of these pressures: “Our study implies that GPs experience their depression care to be useful for their patients, and they do not de-prioritise this despite their heavy workload.”
The findings reflect broader changes within Norway’s healthcare landscape. Recent reforms introduced community psychologists into primary care settings to bolster support for mental health issues. While many GPs welcomed this addition, there remains uncertainty about the integration of these services with GP practices. The study also revealed strong support among GPs for expanding low-threshold psychological services that do not require referrals.
Dr Grung shared insights on future research: “Currently, we are working on a paper on the collaboration between GPs and specialised healthcare regarding patients with depression, where we explore the GPs’ experiences and views.”
Despite the heavy workload, GPs have consistently prioritised depression care, indicating a deep commitment to patient well-being. But the pressures they face raise concerns about sustainability and the need for structural changes to support their efforts. Providing additional training in talking therapy and ensuring better coordination with community mental health resources could ease the burden on GPs while improving outcomes for patients.
