Equipping providers to support patients experiencing Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Supporting patients during primary care visits

While many patients can experience anxiety at some point throughout their life, people experiencing GAD may require a more thorough screening. Symptoms of anxiety disorders can often begin in childhood and adolescence, and are more likely to develop in individuals who have lived through abuse, severe loss, and traumas. Taking into account social drivers of health and screening younger patients can help identify sources and the extent of the anxiety.

Clinicians can also support patients with anxiety through clear, empathetic communication strategies. It can be helpful to empower the patient and provide ownership by asking questions in nonjudgmental and open manners about how they feel about their own health, asking the patient to correct information or clarify any directions. Additional opportunities to reduce anxiety can include enlisting trusted family and friends, minding body language and nonverbal cues, and allowing space for silence so the patient doesn’t feel rushed or forced.

Administrative strategies for supporting patients with GAD

As health leaders look for ways to support patients with mental health challenges and the clinicians who treat them, implementing some key strategies can help make a meaningful impact.

Creating an anxiety-free clinical environment

One way to support patients with anxiety – and, to an extent, patients in general – is to offer a calming physical environment that reduces stress ahead of any clinician visits. Global studies report that the physical and social environments in a hospital and clinical setting are crucial factors related to patient comfort. Some key tips for a calm environment can include:

• A warm, inviting reception.
• Reception and waiting areas with calming artwork and comfortable seating.
• Productive distractions such as educational wellness videos instead of stressors like the news or pharmaceutical ads.
• Regularly updating patients on timelines for their appointments.
• A concierge for larger practices and health systems.

A calming environment can help set the stage for your clinicians as they enter the appointment and alleviate initial stressors a less-calming environment may present.

Support staff and clinicians with training

Care teams can feel empowered with the right resources and training on screening for mental health challenges. Training and courses are available for PCPs and clinicians through various organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Physicians, some with redeemable CME credits. Events and conferences like the European Conference on Mental Health and joint international conferences can support networking, practice-sharing, and continued learning.

Equipping clinicians with the latest mental health and medication information

Medical knowledge doubles every 73 days, and new information is constantly emerging about various mental health conditions, treatment recommendations, and medications. Ensuring primary care teams are aligned with the latest clinical and drug information, as well as patient-friendly materials, is essential to having consistent, standardized outcomes. Providing empathetic, inclusive educational materials on reducing stress, eating well, and adhering to medication and care plans can help patients feel seen and empowered to take charge of their own health and mental well-being.

Integrating mental health into primary care

As mental health continues to be further integrated into primary care around the world, health leaders can implement strategies and tools to help care teams support their patients. The second issue of the UpToDate Point of Care Report explores the state of mental healthcare within primary care, and offers additional strategies for implementation as well as topical search trends among clinicians. Download the report and explore the UpToDate Enterprise Suite of solutions to equip your primary care teams with the latest clinical, drug, and patient information.