[Areas for improvement in the management of depression: perspectives of patients, families and professionals].
BACKGROUND
There is currently a consensus that depression care requires understanding the experiences, expectations, and preferences of patients, and incorporating the views of the professionals involved in its management. The aim of this study was to explore and compare the perspectives of patients, families, and health professionals on the main areas for improvement in the clinical practice of depression.


METHODS
Four focus groups were performed (2 with patients with major depression, one with family members, and one with professionals). Participants were recruited with the collaboration the Galician Health Service and the Federation of Associations of Relatives and Persons with Mental Disease. The content of the transcripts were analysed thematically.


RESULTS
Five themes and 18 sub-themes emerged, including, diagnostic challenges, the need for a comprehensive approach, improvements in the coordination and monitoring, the establishment of an adequate relationship and therapeutic space and, finally, the impact of stigma. Patients, families and professionals provided partially overlapping and complementary information on these main themes.


CONCLUSIONS
The management of depression is a complex task, which requires the implementation of measures of a different nature. The incorporation of the perspectives of key stakeholders is essential and it is necessary to continue working on models of care for depression that optimise the experiences of patients, and take into account their preferences and expectations.
Unidade de Asesoramento Científico-técnico (avalia-t), Axencia de Coñecemento en Saúde (ACIS), Servizo Galego de Saúde, Santiago de Compostela, España. Electronic address: avalia-t3@sergas.es.
Y
Y
Triñanes
Subdirección de Calidad y Atención al Paciente, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, España.
G
G
Atienza
Unidad de Investigación de Atención Primaria-OSIs Gipuzkoa, Centro de Salud de Alza, Osakidetza.
A
A
Rial-Boubeta
Unidad de Agudos de Psiquiatría, Hospital Meixoeiro (EOXI de Vigo). SERGAS, España.
C
C
Calderón-Gómez
Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, España.
M
M
Álvarez-Ariza
Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Vigo, España.
E
E
de-Las-Heras-Liñero
Axencia Galega de Sangue, Órganos e Tecidos, Servizo Galego de Saúde, Santiago de Compostela, España.
M
M
López-García
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005190:Family; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans
Atención Primaria; Depresión; Depression; Focus groups; Grupos focales; Investigación cualitativa; Mental health; Primary Care; Qualitative research; Salud mental