Evaluating the Accuracy of Psychiatric Diagnoses by Primary Health Physicians: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Medical Center

Abstract Objectives: Primary care physicians (PCPs) are often the first point of contact for patients presenting with psychiatric symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of psychiatric diagnoses made by PCPs in a tertiary center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the mental health department of a tertiary medical center in Riyadh. Data were collected for patients referred from primary healthcare (PHC) clinics to mental health (MH) clinics between September 1 and December 31, 2022. Diagnoses by PCPs were deemed accurate if they matched the final psychiatric diagnoses. Results: The study found that 73.1% of patients received correct diagnoses in PHC clinics, with a sensitivity of 71.6% and specificity of 73.4%. Citalopram was the most commonly prescribed medication in both PHC and MH clinics (38.2% and 32.3%, respectively). However, 64.9% of patients seen in PHC clinics received no medication. Conclusion: While PCPs accurately diagnosed most psychiatric cases, they often refrained from initiating treatment, opting instead to refer patients to MH clinics. These findings suggest that training for PCPs should emphasize the management of common psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety, that can be effectively addressed in PHC settings.