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Cited by 86Mental Health Treatment and AccessTreatment of Major DepressionPrimary Care and Health Outcomes

Depression of elderly outpatients: Primary care physicians’ attitudes and practice patterns

Callahan, Christopher M., Nienaber, Nancy A., Hendrie, Hugh C., Tierney, William M.·1992·Journal of General Internal Medicine
DOI 10.1007/bf02599097
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Abstract

Objective To determine primary care physicians' attitudes and practice patterns concerning the diagnosis and treatment of depression in elderly outpatients.Design Survey of primary care physicians' attitudes using a 22-item questionnaire. Current practice patterns were identified from a computerized medical record system.Setting Academic primary care group practice at an urban ambulatory care clinic.Patients/participants Thirty-five faculty general internists and 118 resident internal medicine physicians who had cared for 2,759 patients 65 years of age and older in the previous year.Measurements and main results Attitudes: Eighty percent of all physicians considered the diagnosis and treatment of depressed elderly patients to be their responsibility. Fifty-five percent of the internists felt confident in accurately diagnosing depression, and 35% felt confident in prescribing antidepressants for this population. Residents reported more difficulties in dealing with depressed elderly patients than did faculty. Practice patterns: Of patients greater than or equal to 65 years old, 8% were prescribed antidepressants, 5.4% had current diagnoses of depression, and 2% were seen for evaluation by psychiatry professionals. Age was negatively correlated with depression diagnosis, antidepressant drug use, and psychiatry evaluation.Conclusions Internists in this primary care group practice accept responsibility for the treatment of depressed elderly patients but perceive their clinical skills as inadequate and are frustrated with their practice environment. Interventions aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of depressed elderly patients may be more effective if they are able to improve knowledge, attitudes, and the practice environment.

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Authors
Callahan, C. M., Nienaber, N. A., Hendrie, H. C., & Tierney, W. M.
Affiliations
Indiana University Indianapolis (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of General Internal Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
1992-01
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
26-31
ISSN
  • 0884-8734 (ISSN-L)
  • 1525-1497
DOI
10.1007/bf02599097
OpenAlex
W2026757070
Cited by
86
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
1.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of General Internal Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Primary Care and Health Outcomes
Keywords
geriatric depression, geriatric outpatients, antidepressant prescribing, depression diagnosis, internists, internal medicine residents, physician confidence, practice environment, outpatient care
MeSH terms
Aged, Ambulatory Care, Antidepressive Agents, Attitude of Health Personnel, Depression, Drug Utilization, Female, Health Services for the Aged, Humans, Male, Practice Patterns, Physicians', Physicians, Family, Psychotherapy, Referral and Consultation

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