Predrag Duric1,2, Sanja Harhaji2, Fiona O'May1, Larisa Boderscova3, Jana Chihai4, Ariel Como5, Georgi L Hranov6, Adriana Mihai7, Eugjen Sotiri5. 1. Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, Musselburgh, UK. 2. Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina/Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Serbia. 3. WHO Country Office, Chisinau, Moldova. 4. Medical Psychology and Narcology Department, State Medical and Pharmaceutical University Nicolae Testemitanu, Chisinau, Moldova. 5. Tirana University Hospital Centre, Tirana, Albania. 6. Second Psychiatric Clinic, University Multi-profile Hospital for Active Treatment in Neurology and Psychiatry St. Naum, Sofia, Bulgaria. 7. Psychiatric Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Targul Mures, Romania.
Abstract
AIM: To assess and compare general practitioners' (GPs') views of diagnosing and treating depression in five southeastern European countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Albania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and Serbia. The sample included 467 GPs who completed a hard-copy self-administered questionnaire, consisting of self-assessment questions related to diagnosing and treating depression. RESULTS: The most common barriers to managing depression in general practice reported by GPs were: patients' unwillingness to discuss depressive symptoms (92.3%); appointment time too short to take an adequate history (91.9%), barriers for prescribing appropriate treatment (90.6%); and patients' reluctance to be referred to a psychiatrist (89.1%). Most GPs (78.4%) agreed that recognizing depression was their responsibility, 71.7% were confident in diagnosing depression, but less than one-third (29.6%) considered that they should treat it. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements to the organization of mental healthcare in all five countries should consider better training for GPs in depression diagnosis and treatment; the availability of mental healthcare specialists at primary care level, with ensured equal and easy access for all patients; and the removal of potential legal barriers for diagnosis and treatment of depression.
AIM: To assess and compare general practitioners' (GPs') views of diagnosing and treating depression in five southeastern European countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Albania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and Serbia. The sample included 467 GPs who completed a hard-copy self-administered questionnaire, consisting of self-assessment questions related to diagnosing and treating depression. RESULTS: The most common barriers to managing depression in general practice reported by GPs were: patients' unwillingness to discuss depressive symptoms (92.3%); appointment time too short to take an adequate history (91.9%), barriers for prescribing appropriate treatment (90.6%); and patients' reluctance to be referred to a psychiatrist (89.1%). Most GPs (78.4%) agreed that recognizing depression was their responsibility, 71.7% were confident in diagnosing depression, but less than one-third (29.6%) considered that they should treat it. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements to the organization of mental healthcare in all five countries should consider better training for GPs in depression diagnosis and treatment; the availability of mental healthcare specialists at primary care level, with ensured equal and easy access for all patients; and the removal of potential legal barriers for diagnosis and treatment of depression.
Authors: A Mercier; N Kerhuel; B Stalnikiewitz; S Aulanier; C Boulnois; F Becret; P Czernichow Journal: Encephale Date: 2009-09-22 Impact factor: 1.291
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