Managing depressed and suicidal geriatric patients: differences among primary care physicians.
This study examined differences by specialty of primary care physicians in managing suicidal and depressed geriatric patients. A probability sample of 300 Illinois physicians drawn from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile was surveyed. Significant differences were found between specialties in estimates of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders; use of assessment procedures, treatment approaches, and referrals; perceptions of obstacles to providing mental health care; and confidence in diagnosing and treating depression and suicidality. Meeting the mental health needs of the rapidly growing older population will require a greater emphasis on geriatric mental health and consistency across primary care specialties.
Kaplan
M S
MS
School of Community Health, Portland State University, OR 97207-0751, USA. kaplanm@pdx.edu
Adamek
M E
ME
Calderon
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013038:Specialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000092864:Suicide Prevention