Depression care attitudes and practices of newer obstetrician-gynecologists: a national survey.
OBJECTIVE
The study was undertaken to assess attitudes and behavior of newer obstetricians/gynecologists in depression care.


METHODS
One thousand randomly selected physicians in their final year of training or recent practice received a survey about depression: training; related attitudes, responsibility, confidence; and self-reported care for the last depressed patient.


RESULTS
Of those eligible, 437 (64%) returned the survey. Current residents reported more didactic mental health training, but practice patterns were similar to recent graduates. Overall, 94% felt responsible for recognition, whereas about half indicated asking about substance abuse, sexual abuse, or physical abuse, 37% expressed confidence in their ability to treat with medications, and 22% felt confident in their ability to manage depression overall.


CONCLUSIONS
Residents are receiving more didactic mental health training, yet changes in training are not yet reflected in reported practice patterns or confidence. The use of antidepressant medications and assessment of contributing conditions such as abuse deserve more emphasis in training.
Dietrich
Allen J
AJ
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, Hannover, NH 03755, USA. allen.j.dietrich@dartmouth.edu
Williams
John W
JW
Ciotti
Mary C
MC
Schulkin
Jay
J
Stotland
Nada
N
Rost
Kathryn
K
Baram
David
D
Cornell
John
J
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires