Management of depression in primary care: a survey of general practitioners in Spain.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to analyze the current situation of health care for depression in Spain according to general practitioners' (GPs') opinion and how it has evolved over the last 20 years on the basis of comparisons with the results of two previous social-health studies (published in 1997 and 1982).


METHODS
Throughout 2002, we recorded the opinions of 238 GPs after asking them to fill up structured questionnaires in which they rated care, clinical, therapeutic and care quality aspects.


RESULTS
Only 40% of patients with depression visit a doctor, implying a very high level of "concealed epidemiology." The diagnostic instruments most commonly used are assessment of symptoms and patient interview. Pharmacological treatment is the option GPs most commonly choose once a depression diagnosis is established (80% vs. 50% in 1997; P<.001). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), together with anxiolytics, are the drugs most commonly used in the treatment of depression. SSRIs are the first choice drugs, being preferred to tricyclic antidepressants and anxiolytics, which were the most popular options for GPs in the 1997 survey. Areas where there is a need for improvement are time devoted to consultation, coordination between GPs and psychiatrists and waiting lists.


CONCLUSIONS
The quality of health care for depression has improved in recent years, thanks to changes in the attitudes of GPs and the evolution of pharmacological treatment.
Martín-Agueda
Belén
B
Pharmacology Department, University of Alcalá, C/ Juan Ignacio Luca de Tena 8, 28027 Madrid, Spain.
López-Muñoz
Francisco
F
Rubio
Gabriel
G
Guerra
José A
JA
Silva
Agustín
A
Alamo
Cecilio
C
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013030:Spain