title: A training program to enhance recognition of depression in nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care settings: Description and evaluation.
abstract: Low levels of symptom recognition by staff have been "gateway" barriers to the management of depression in long-term care. The study aims were to refine a depression training program for front-line staff in long-term care and provide evaluative knowledge outcome data. Three primary training modules provide an overview of depression symptoms; a review of causes and situational and environmental contributing factors; and communication strategies, medications, and clinical treatment strategies. McNemar's chi-square tests and paired t-tests were used to examine change in knowledge. Data were analyzed for up to 143 staff members, the majority from nursing. Significant changes (p < .001) in knowledge were observed for all modules, with an average change of between 2 and 3 points. Evidence was provided that participants acquired desired information in the recognition, detection, and differential diagnosis and treatment strategies for those persons at significant risk for a depressive disorder.
authors.affiliation: a Departments of Psychiatry, and Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College , New York Presbyterian Hospital , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry , Columbia University and New York Presbyterian Hospital , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nathanson
authors.affiliation: c Research Division , Hebrew Home at Riverdale at RiverSpring Health , Bronx , New York , USA.|d Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine , Weill Cornell Medical College , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.affiliation: c Research Division , Hebrew Home at Riverdale at RiverSpring Health , Bronx , New York , USA.|d Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine , Weill Cornell Medical College , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Mildred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.affiliation: e Department of Geriatrics , New York State Psychiatric Institute , New York , New York , USA.|f Stroud Center at New York State Psychiatric Institute , Columbia University , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Toner
authors.affiliation: c Research Division , Hebrew Home at Riverdale at RiverSpring Health , Bronx , New York , USA.|d Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine , Weill Cornell Medical College , New York , New York , USA.|f Stroud Center at New York State Psychiatric Institute , Columbia University , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Teresi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004493:Education; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000592:standards; D012931:Social Environment; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards
keywords: Depression recognition; long-term care; nursing homes; program evaluation; staff education; staff training