[Role of the family physician in mental and social problems in homes for the aged].

Based on Dutch nationally representative data, this article reports on the number of psychological and social problems that residents of homes for the elderly (n = 2893) present to their general practitioner (GP). Furthermore, the number of encounters residents with psychological or social problems have with the general practice and the interventions which the GP applies are described. A comparison is made with elderly patients living independently (n = 28056). In a three-month period the GP found psychological problems in 33 per cent of the patients from homes for the elderly. For elderly patients living independently this was 17%. Controlling for background variables the patients from homes for the elderly still show considerably more psychological problems. Social problems are reported less frequently to GP's; 8% of patients from homes for the elderly and 5% of patients living independently report these problems. After controlling for background variables no statistically significant differences were found. The most frequently used intervention is the prescription of drugs. In both groups almost 80% of the respondents received drugs. Referral to mental health care is the least frequently used intervention. Many patients living in homes for the elderly have psychological or social problems. This implies a high workload for the GP. However, no evidence is found that GP's treat their patients in homes for the elderly differently from those living independently.