title: Managing depression in patients with vision impairment: a descriptive study of practitioners' beliefs and confidence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Depression is common in older adults with vision impairment yet it often remains unidentified and untreated. Eye health professionals (EHPs) and rehabilitation workers (RWs) may be able to assist in detecting depression. This study identified EHPs' and RWs' beliefs about depression and confidence in working with patients with vision impairment and depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered cross-sectional survey of 94 EHPs and RWs assessed beliefs about the symptoms and treatment for depression, and confidence in working with depressed people with vision impairment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants showed awareness of both the symptoms and treatment options for depression. However, some important misconceptions were identified and many symptoms of depression were commonly attributed to vision loss. Participants lacked confidence in communicating about depression with patients and their families.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training programs are needed to enable EHPs and RWs to confidently identify depression and discuss appropriate treatment and referral options with their patients.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Eye Research Australia, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. grees@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Gwyneth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fenwick
authors.forename: Jill E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Keeffe
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mellor
authors.forename: Ecosse L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Lamoureux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004517:Education, Professional; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055815:Young Adult