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Chapter 7158Five upstream opportunities to improve MH care for patients with both MID and MH problemsIn addition to the overview of the characteristics of patients with both MID and MH problems, this thesis contributes to insights into several opportunities upstream to improve primary (MH) care and support for this extravulnerable patient group. I highlight and elaborate five opportunities that emerged throughout the studies, combined with my personal experiences as an ID physician. These opportunities align with GPs’ core values (Personcentred, Continuous, Collaborative care, Medical generalist) established by the leading national Dutch general practitioners organizations in 20191 and indicate the focus points that can be derived from these core values for this specific patient group. The five opportunities are:y Early recognition and acknowledgement of MID in patients y Continuity of care y The supportive role of the patient’s (in)formal network y Combine knowledge and experience y Domain-transcending collaborative care I elaborate further on each opportunity from a practical perspective in the Dutch context, providing recommendations on: What practitioners can do, What practitioners’ and patients’ networks can do, What health policymakers can do, and What researchers can do. Boxes 7.2–7.6 provide overviews of these recommendations for each opportunity, based on findings in our studies, (inter)national literature, and my personal experiences as ID physician. For the sake of readability, practitioner is stated where it applies to both GPs and MHNPs. When necessary, GP or MHNP is specified.Early recognition and acknowledgement of MID in patients The importance of recognition and acknowledgement of MID for personcentred careFrom my perspective, early recognition and acknowledgement of MID is an essential prerequisite for delivering person-centred care to patients Katrien Pouls sHL.indd 158 24-06-2024 16:26