Značaj samoprocjene zdravlja za ocjenu mentalnog zdravlja i ...

only their general practitioner/family physician while men visit specialists more often.
Younger respondents (70-79) use health care more often, especially specialist-consultative
care, while older (80 +) significantly more often visit only general practitioners/family
physicians. Poor self-rated general health, bodily pain and better vitality are important
predictors of the use of specialist health care in the elderly. The probable and the borderline
depressed and the probable anxious have a significantly higher risk for hospitalization
compared with respondents who are not depressed and anxious, while the probable and the
borderline anxious are more likely to use specialist health care. A high prevalence of
depression and anxiety was found in the elderly but general practitioners/family physicians
rarely recognize and treat depression and anxiety.
Planning of public health measures aimed at preserving and improving mental health
and early diagnosis and adequate treatment of mental disorders should be implemented at
the local level, taking into account the specificities of the region and socio-demographic
characteristics of the population as well as the scientific knowledge about the mutual
influence of self-rated health and mental health on the use of health care. Better coordination
of health care professionals at all levels of health care and an intersectoral approach of the
wider community is needed for enabling older people to maintain an active and independent
life through as long a period as possible.
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