PhD dissertation examines mental health in chronic disease
Patients with chronic illness often have poor mental health. A PhD project has investigated whether treatment with the ‘problem-solving method’ in the patient's general practice can improve mental well-being.
More than half a million Danes live with type 2 diabetes and/or ischaemic heart disease. The vast majority are treated in general practice.
One in five patients with chronic disease also has poor mental well-being, such as depression or anxiety. In addition to being a significant burden for the patient, it is associated with poorer control of the somatic illness, which can ultimately lead to higher mortality.
This PhD study investigated the use of the ‘problem-solving method’ in general practice. The method can be effective in treating mental disorders (e.g. depression).
It can be adapted for use in general practice and be delivered by doctors or clinic staff (e.g. nurses). In the study, patients with chronic illness (type 2 diabetes or ischaemic heart disease) and impaired mental well-being were offered treatment with the problem-solving method. The patients' symptoms of stress, anxiety and illness-related distress were measured before and after treatment and compared to a similar control group.
Oral defence on 21 February 2025
The PhD dissertation and the two included scientific papers present the results of a three-year enrolment at the Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University. The project was a close collaboration between the Research Unit for General Practice and the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University.
The project was supported by unrestricted grants from the Danish Heart Foundation, Trygfonden, the Central Denmark Region, the Riisfort Foundation and Aarhus University.
Anne Søjbjerg will defend her PhD thesis ‘The Healthy Mind study: Integrating mental health and chronic care in general practice’ on Friday 21 February 2025 at 14.00 in auditorium 1253-211 (Merete Barker), building 1253, Lakeside Lecture Theatres, Bartholins Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C.
The defence is public. Everyone is welcome to attend. After the PhD defence, the Research Unit for General Practice will host a small reception in room 1261-118, building 1261, at the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University.
Further information
PhD student Anne Søjbjerg
Aarhus University, Department of Public Health &
Research Unit for General Practice
annsoj@ph.au.dk, +45 2728 2663
What did the studies show?
- The problem-solving method is well suited for use in general practice.
- Nurses can learn to use the method.
- Patients were happy with the increased focus on their mental health.
- No statistically significant difference was seen in symptoms of depression, anxiety and illness-related distress between intervention and control group.
- Due to low patient participation, the study did not have sufficient statistical power.
The two studies of the project
- Improving mental health in chronic care in general practice: study protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial of the Healthy Mind intervention. Søjbjerg A, Mygind A, Rasmussen SE, Christensen B. Pedersen AF. Maindal H. Bureau V, Christensen KS. Trials. 2024 Apr 23;25(1):277. doi: 10.1186/s13063-024-08115-8.
- Managing mental health in chronic care in general practice: a feasibility study of the Healthy Mind intervention. Soejbjerg A, Rasmussen SE, Christensen KS, Christensen B, Pedersen AF, Maindal HT, Mygind A. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2024 Mar;42(1):72-81. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2023.2289525. Epub 2024 Feb 7.