Outcomes of recognizing depressed Chinese American patients in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to examine the effect of identifying Chinese American patients as having major depressive disorder (MDD) to their primary care physicians (PCPs) on the latter's attention given to the treatment of depression.


METHODS
Forty Chinese American patients from a primary care clinic were identified as having major depressive disorder (MDD), and their primary care physicians (PCPs) were notified of the diagnosis by letter. Three months later, medical records of subjects in the study were reviewed to see if their PCPs had intervened through referral and/or initiated treatment of depression.


RESULTS
PCPs documented intervention in 19 patients (47%) regarding their depression. Two of these patients (11%) were started on an antidepressant. Four (21%) accepted and 13 (68%) declined referral to mental health services. No intervention was recorded for 21 (53%) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that recognition alone of MDD among Chinese Americans in the community primary care setting does not lead to adequate initiation of treatment for depression by PCPs.
Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. ayeung@partners.org
Albert
A
Yeung
Winnie W
WW
Kung
Jessica L
JL
Murakami
David
D
Mischoulon
Jonathan E
JE
Alpert
Andrew A
AA
Nierenberg
Maurizio
M
Fava
D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome