RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 General practitioner psychological management of common emotional problems (II): A research agenda for the development of evidence-based practice. JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 396 OP 400 VO 50 IS 454 A1 J Cape A1 C Barker A1 M Buszewicz A1 N Pistrang YR 2000 UL http://bjgp.org/content/50/454/396.abstract AB The majority of patients with common emotional or psychological problems are treated solely by general practitioners (GPs). Such treatment frequently includes some form of psychological management within the consultation, whether limited to listening and discussion or involving more specific techniques. This paper sets out a research agenda for the development of effective approaches to GP psychological management. Evidence is reviewed on three core components of all psychological treatments: establishing a positive therapeutic relationship, developing a shared understanding of the problem, and promoting change in behaviour, thoughts or emotions. The application of these components in GP psychological management is outlined and methodological issues in the development and evaluation of GP management approaches are discussed. Since the number of patients with emotional problems seen by each GP is so large, the population effects of even small improvements in psychological management would be sizeable.