As prevalence of mental health disorders increases worldwide, recognition and treatment of these disorders falls increasingly into the remit of primary care. This study investigated the prevalence and management of adults presenting to their general practitioner (GP) in Ireland with a psychological condition.

A random number function was used to select 100 patients with a consultation in the previous 2 years from 40 general practices around Ireland. The clinical records of these patients were examined using a standardised reporting tool to extract information on demographics, eligibility for free care, prevalence and treatment of psychological conditions.

From a sample of 3845 ‘active’ patients, 620 (16%, 95% confidence interval 15–17%) had a documented psychological condition in the previous 2 years. The most common diagnoses were depression (54%) followed by stress and anxiety (47%). The following patient characteristics were associated with having a documented mental health condition: female gender; higher GP consultation rate; a referral or attendance at secondary care and eligibility for free GP care. Of those with a psychological condition, 34% received a psychological intervention and 81% received a pharmacological intervention.

The overall prevalence estimate of mental health disorders for this sample was lower than previously documented in primary care. Patients diagnosed with mental health disorders had higher utilisation of health services and pharmacological treatment was common.

From 25 January 1994 to 02 February 1994, staff aboard four Veterans Affairs Mobile Clinics treated Northridge Earthquake victims. This study examined the types of conditions treated by Clinic staff during the disaster.

A descriptive case series using 1,123 ambulatory encounter forms was undertaken. Case-mix was assessed by classifying diagnoses into 120 possible diagnostic clusters.

Forty-five percent of patients were infants or children and 60% were female. The primary diagnoses were characterize by acute conditions: 1) upper respiratory infection (34.6%); 2) stress reactions (11.9%); 3) otitis media (10.1%); and injuries (8%). Two-thirds of the infants and children either had an upper respiratory infection (46.4%) or otitis media (20.1%). Increasing age indicated an increased likelihood of stress and anxiety reactions.

The results provide additional information for agencies involved in planning for and responding to disasters. Based on the types of conditions diagnosed at the United States Veterans' Administration mobile clinics (i.e., a high prevalence of acute conditions, including stress and anxiety reactions, and the large numbers of children), staff trained in primary care, mental health, and pediatrics should be considered for relief missions that begin several days after an event resulting in a disaster.