Improving primary care for people with mental health or substance use conditions

This Equally Well resource has been produced by Te Pou and the Tupuānuku and Te Pu Korokoro researchers at the University of Otago. It is designed for primary care clinicians to enhance their understanding of diagnostic overshadowing. This happens when there is an attribution of presenting symptoms to an existing mental health or substance use diagnosis rather than a potential co-occurring physical health issue. Overshadowing can prevent people from getting the health care they need and contributes to poorer health outcomes in people with mental health or substance use conditions.

The slides highlight strategies and system-level actions for clinicians to recognise overshadowing and ensure everyone receives the physical health care they deserve.

This resource is worth 2 RNZCGP CME points – read more about CME points here.