TY - JOUR
T1 - Adjusting to illness and other major life events: how can GPs help?
AU - Clarke, David Murray
AU - Stone, Louise Ellen
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - BACKGROUND: General practitioners often see patients who are struggling with a change in their life circumstances. When this change involves illness, the GP is well placed to provide support and practical assistance. However, research in this area has tended to concentrate on the patient who is overwhelmed and unable to cope, focusing on the negative consequences of anxiety and depression. OBJECTIVE: This article is designed to demonstrate the process of coping, and successful strategies that can be encouraged in the primary care setting. DISCUSSION: The process of coping involves thoughts and behaviours. A patient with a new diagnosis, or a threatening change in their health, will assess the situation and determine how much it threatens them (primary appraisal) and how well they feel they are able to cope (secondary appraisal). They will then begin their preferred coping strategies. The GP can provide support and encouragement throughout this process.
AB - BACKGROUND: General practitioners often see patients who are struggling with a change in their life circumstances. When this change involves illness, the GP is well placed to provide support and practical assistance. However, research in this area has tended to concentrate on the patient who is overwhelmed and unable to cope, focusing on the negative consequences of anxiety and depression. OBJECTIVE: This article is designed to demonstrate the process of coping, and successful strategies that can be encouraged in the primary care setting. DISCUSSION: The process of coping involves thoughts and behaviours. A patient with a new diagnosis, or a threatening change in their health, will assess the situation and determine how much it threatens them (primary appraisal) and how well they feel they are able to cope (secondary appraisal). They will then begin their preferred coping strategies. The GP can provide support and encouragement throughout this process.
UR - http://www.racgp.org.au/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/AustralianFamilyPhys/2007issues/afp200704/200704clarke.pdf
M3 - Article
SN - 0300-8495
VL - 36
SP - 206
EP - 210
JO - Australian Family Physician
JF - Australian Family Physician
IS - 4
ER -