Defining Mental Disorder: Differences in Primary Care Providers' and Psychiatrists' Conceptions of Illness

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Compares how primary care providers (PCPs) and psychiatrists define and treat mental disorders in their patients. Uses interview data from 41 PCPs and 41 psychiatrists regarding their descriptions of patients with mental health concerns, the ease or difficulty of diagnosing and treating patients, referrals and access to mental health services, and more. Includes perspectives from rural PCPs and psychiatrists.

Skye A. Miner, Joshua Breslau, Charles Engel, Stacey Yi, Luke J. Matthews

Journal of General Internal Medicine

10/2026

Access · Behavioral health workforce · Mental health conditions · Physicians · Primary care