Cognitive behavioural therapy: a study of rural general practitioners' understanding and expectations.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been extensively used to manage depression and anxiety. It has been offered to general practitioners (GPs) as a technique suited to primary care. METHODS AND
RESULTS: Forty-two GPs, who had participated in workshops on CBT, in rural Victoria, were surveyed about their use, expectations and understanding of CBT. Most of the GPs either occasionally or regularly used CBT. Respondents expressed concern that CBT would lengthen their consultations, while recognising its usefulness in their practice and capacity to enhance doctor-patient communication.
CONCLUSIONS: The GPs in this study, while regarding CBT as an appropriate technique in general practice, expressed both broad outcome expectations from its use and concerns about its time management impact. This study indicates the need for further research on the role of CBT in rural general practice.