Box 1.

Use of GAF score as threshold for treatment in primary or secondary health care

If a patient suffers from a condition classified as a V code on Axis I, this is a psychosocial problem requiring treatment in the community or in the primary care setting, depending on the GAF code. In case of a GAF of >60 treatment could be provided in the community setting. This would be prevention and not primary care treatment by the GP. In case of a GAF score of 60–40, treatment should be provided by the GP in the primary care practice; in case of a score of <40, referral to the mental health setting for treatment should be effectuated. In case of Axis I codes other than V codes, treatment should be provided in primary care or mental health care dependent on the GAF scores.