Oncology staff recognition of depressive symptoms on videotaped interviews of depressed cancer patients: implications for designing a training program.
We examined oncologists' and nurses' ability to recognize depressive symptoms in two cancer patients who were interviewed on videotape. The study was conducted in a rural community, hospital-based outreach network. Staff were given a one-hour in-service on the use of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)-a brief diagnostic interview-to provide a differential diagnosis (no psychiatric diagnosis, major depressive disorder, or adjustment disorder with depressed mood). Next, the staff viewed a videotape of an investigator (S.P.) utilizing the MINI to interview two depressed breast cancer patients. Staff subsequently rated depressive symptoms on the MINI and made a diagnosis. Findings indicated a high concordance among staff regarding symptom ratings on a straightforward example of major depressive disorder. Concordance on diagnosis, severity level, and specific symptoms declined slightly on a more difficult case involving primarily cognitive symptoms and a diagnosis of adjustment disorder. Following brief didactic training on depressive disorders, oncologists and nurses were able to identify depressive symptoms in cancer patients on videotape. Learning to use a semistructured interview can increase oncologists' awareness of depressive symptoms and may be a good training model.
Passik
S D
SD
Oncology Symptom Control and Research, Community Cancer Care, Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Donaghy
K B
KB
Theobald
D E
DE
Lundberg
J C
JC
Holtsclaw
E
E
Dugan
W M
WM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D009726:Nurses; D010820:Physicians; D014743:Videotape Recording