Many patients with chronic conditions have poor mental health. This can lead to reduced quality of life, poorer treatment adherence and higher mortality.

Most patients with chronic conditions are treated in general practice. Therefore, general practice is a key location for identifying and treating reduced mental well-being. Nevertheless, most treatments focus mainly on physical aspects, while reduced mental well-being is often overlooked.

A new PhD dissertation has examined the effect of the HealthyMind intervention, in which patients with heart disease or diabetes and concurrent reduced mental well-being (screen-detected) were offered consultations using the ‘problem-solving method’ in general practice.

The aim was to strengthen the patient's general problem-solving skills through a structured five-step model. It was hypothesised that this approach could help improve mental well-being in the patient, thereby increasing self-care and medication adherence and ultimately physical health.

Three different studies

The project consisted of three studies. The first evaluated the effect of the intervention on selected somatic and mental health outcomes at 12-month follow-up. The second study examined the implementation of the intervention. It assessed whether it was delivered as intended (fidelity), to what extent (dose), and whether it reached the intended target group (reach). The third study assessed the mechanisms of action and how the intervention led to change.

Two-thirds of the patients participating in more than one consultation reported improved mental well-being, primarily due to a more rational approach to problem-solving, better perceived control over the situation and greater confidence in their own coping skills. 

The relationship between the patient and the healthcare professional played an important role. For some patients, the HealthyMind intervention strengthened this relationship, as they felt seen as more than just their chronic condition.

General practice is a suitable setting to address reduced mental well-being in patients with chronic conditions, as treatment in this setting is holistic, person-centred and characterised by continuity.

Oral defence on 24 October 2025

Stinne Eika Rasmussen will defend her PhD dissertation ”Evaluating the impact of a mental wellbeing intervention for patients with chronic conditions in Danish general practice” on Friday 24 October 2025 at 14:00 at the Public Health Auditorium (1262-101), Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle 4, 8000 Aarhus C.

The defence is open to the public. Everyone is welcome. After the defence, the Research Unit for General Practice will host a small reception at the Department of Public Health (1261-118), Aarhus University.

About the project

The PhD dissertation and its three scientific papers present the results of a three-year enrolment at the Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University. The project was conducted at the Research Unit for General Practice in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University.

The project was supported by grants from the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus Graduate School of Health, Research Unit for General Practice in Aarhus, the Danish Heart Foundation, the Foundation for General Practice, the Foundation for Primary Health Care Research, the Committee of Multi-practice Studies in Danish General Practice, the Committee for Quality Improvement and Continuing Medical Education in general practice in the Central Denmark Region, the Riisfort Foundation, and the Research Foundation of the Danish Medical Association.

Further information

PhD student Stinne Eika Rasmussen
Aarhus University, Department of Public Health & 
Research Unit for General Practice
stinne.e.rasmussen@ph.au.dk

The three studies of the project

• Rasmussen SE, Mygind A, Burau V, Christensen B, Christensen KS, Maindal HT, Pedersen AF, Soejbjerg A, The Healthy Mind study group. “Problem-solving therapy in general practice for patients with ischaemic heart disease and/or type two diabetes and poor mental well-being: a 12-month randomised controlled trial assessing somatic and mental health outcomes.” Submitted (juli 2025).

• Rasmussen SE, Soejbjerg A, Burau V, Christensen B, Christensen KS, Clyne B, Maindal HT, Pedersen AF, Mygind A, The Healthy Mind study group. “Implementing mental healthcare in chronic care in general practice: a mixed-methods process evaluation of the Healthy Mind intervention.” Under review (juli 2025).

• Rasmussen SE, Soejbjerg A, Burau V, Christensen B, Christensen KS, Clyne B, Maindal HT, Pedersen AF, Mygind A, The Healthy Mind study group. “They know me better than my disease”: a process evaluation study exploring the impact mechanisms of a mental health intervention in general practice for adults with chronic conditions.” Under review (juli 2025).