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Ability of internists to recognize and manage depression in the elderly
Author(s) -
Barsa John,
Toner John,
Gurland Barry,
Lantigua Rafael
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.930010109
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , referral , medicine , primary care , family medicine , mental health , management of depression , psychiatry , scale (ratio) , physics , quantum mechanics , economics , macroeconomics
Seventy‐seven randomly selected elderly patients in a primary care internal medicine practice were assessed and rated by their internists for the presence and severity of depression. Management recommendations were recorded by internists in each case. On the same day, the patients were interviewed and scored using the SHORT‐CARE Instrument, which includes a scale of depression. A chart review a year and a half later was made to demonstrate compliance with the internists' recommendations. Results showed that internists were quite skilled at recognizing depression and responded with specific management plans, but did not follow through with their own plans for counselling of patients or referral of patients to mental health practitioners.