Recruitment and participants
personality disorder, Anxiety, anxiety, bipolar disorder, NSD, eating disorder, psychotic symptoms, depression, substance abuse
DISORDER, SECONDARY
Information about the study was conveyed both through an information letter from NIPH to all GPs in the area and directly from the services at local GP association meetings. Citizens could get information about the study from their GP, through the municipality web page, local newspapers, and local radio. People who contacted PMHC in Sandnes or Kristiansand got an appointment for an initial assessment. This assessment consisted of a clinical interview to evaluate the client's mental health problems and motivation for treatment, in addition to providing information about the study.There were predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to evaluate participants’ eligibility for PMHC during the trial period. The criteria were supposed to resemble ordinary care. The primary inclusion criterion was anxiety and/or mild to moderate depression. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) were used as screening instruments with predetermined cut-offs (PHQ-9 >  = 10 and/or GAD-7 >  = 8) [People were excluded if they met the criteria of more profound mental problems such as eating disorder, severe suicidal risk, bipolar disorder, severe depression, incapacitating anxiety, psychotic symptoms, substance abuse, or personality disorder. Another exclusion criteria was two or more previous attempts at treatment in the secondary services, without satisfactory effect. People with serious physical health problems as their primary challenge were also excluded. Those not considered eligible for PMHC were referred to their GP, secondary services, or other services suitable for their main challenge.Those who met the inclusion criteria were asked to participate, gave their written consent and registered on a secure online data portal. The portal was developed by the Norwegian Social Science Data Services (NSD) and was used to collect all data and questionnaires from clients and therapists. It was also used to randomize the clients to either PMHC treatment or treatment as usual (TAU) [