Using problem solving therapy in general practice.

BACKGROUND: In Australia, mild and moderate depression is predominantly treated by general practitioners. Many of these patients prefer a nondrug therapeutic approach. Problem solving therapy (PST) is an evidence based psychological treatment that can be provided to such patients by GPs.
OBJECTIVE: This article aims to explain what PST is, how PST skills may be developed, and how specific difficulties using PST may be addressed. DISCUSSION: Problem solving therapy consists of a series of sequential structured stages. While many GPs use elements of the PST approach, few use its structured format. In this article the specific stages of PST are described in detail. This is followed by a discussion of ways GPs can learn more about developing PST skills from their existing problem solving skills. Finally, difficulties observed using PST are described in combination with potential responses to these difficulties.