Taking the discourse of the 'worried well' seriously

It is commonly accepted in Australia that general practitioners (G.P.'s) are the initial point of contact when individuals perceive ill health. A significant portion of such clients presenting to the G.P. fall into the category of what many people have deemed the "worried well". Drawing upon discourse analysis, this paper seeks to deconstruct the underlying assumptions pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of this population. The impetus for nurses to be agents of change in the construction of discourses surrounding the "worried well" is recognised.