Pharmacists' role in depression care: a survey of attitudes, current practices, and barriers.
OBJECTIVE
Pharmacists may be well placed to take up a role in depression care, complementing the role of general practitioners. However, depression care is a relatively new role for pharmacists, and little is known of their attitudes, current practices, and barriers toward it.


METHODS
A random sample of 200 community pharmacists in Belgium was surveyed about the care of patients with depression in comparison with patients with other, physical conditions.


RESULTS
The 69 pharmacists who responded to the survey generally endorsed a very positive attitude toward their potential role in depression care. This willingness was, however, not reflected in current practice, and fulfilling this role appeared to be more difficult with patients with depression in comparison with patients with other, physical conditions. A lack of training in mental health issues was the most important barrier reported. Cooperation with general practitioners in depression care was desired, but the current level of cooperation was rather low.


CONCLUSIONS
For pharmacists to effectively take up depression care, perceived barriers need to be addressed through specific training programs and increased cooperation with general practitioners.
Scheerder
Gert
G
LUCAS (Center for Care Research and Consultancy), Catholic University of Louvain, Leuven B-3000 Belgium. gert.scheerder@med.kuleuven.be
De Coster
Iris
I
Van Audenhove
Chantal
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010595:Pharmacists; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D024382:Professional Role