Most US Adults Want Primary Care Physicians to Address Mental Health: Daily Dose

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Patient Care brings primary care clinicians a lot of medical news every day—it’s easy to miss an important study. The Daily Dose provides a concise summary of one of the website's leading stories you may not have seen.

On November 22, 2024, we reported on results from the new West Health-Gallup Survey on Mental Health in America.

The study

The survey was conducted by web and mail with 2389 adults aged 18 and older, living in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia, who are members of the Gallup Panel. The survey was conducted October 1-13, 2024.

The findings

• 70% of respondents said they would prefer to be asked about both their physical health and their mental health during appointments with their primary care providers (PCPs).

• 66% of participants said a PCP has asked them about their mental health, whereas 32% said they have never been asked.

• 51% of respondents said it is very important PCPs screen for anxiety and depression.

• 57% said it is very important PCPs treat patients for mental health conditions or refer to another physician.

• 74% felt somewhat or very comfortable bringing up mental health concerns with a PCP.

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