Gaming disorder: Practical tips for general practice

BACKGROUND: Globally, the gaming industry generates more revenue than the music, film and gambling industries combined. Australia ranks first globally in gaming market penetration. People game for various reasons. Defining harmful gaming, however, can be challenging. OBJECTIVE: General practice can often be the first point of contact for patients who engage in harmful gaming. The aim of this article is to provide practical tools for screening, diagnosing and managing gaming disorders in general practice. DISCUSSION: When a patient presents to general practice with likely harms from gaming, it is useful to assess the patient's problem against a validated screening tool. A comprehensive assessment, assisted by the timeline followback tool, may assist with a comprehensive risk assessment and biopsychosocial formulation, which informs an individualised treatment plan.