How family physicians address diagnosis and management of depression in palliative care patients
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Warmenhoven, Franca; Rijswijk, Eric van; Hoogstraten, Elise van; Spaendonck, Karel van; Lucassen, Peter; Prins, Judith; Vissers, Kris C.; van Weel, Chris
Description
PURPOSE Depression is highly prevalent in palliative care patients. In clinical practice, there is concern about both insufficient and excessive diagnosis and treatment of depression. In the Netherlands, family physicians have a central role in delivering palliative care. We explored variation in family physicians' opinions regarding the recognition, diagnosis, and management of depression in palliative care patients. METHODS We conducted a focus group study in a sample of family physicians...[Show more]
dc.contributor.author | Warmenhoven, Franca | |
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dc.contributor.author | Rijswijk, Eric van | |
dc.contributor.author | Hoogstraten, Elise van | |
dc.contributor.author | Spaendonck, Karel van | |
dc.contributor.author | Lucassen, Peter | |
dc.contributor.author | Prins, Judith | |
dc.contributor.author | Vissers, Kris C. | |
dc.contributor.author | van Weel, Chris | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2015-12-13T22:49:27Z | |
dc.identifier.issn | 1544-1709 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1885/80544 | |
dc.description.abstract | PURPOSE Depression is highly prevalent in palliative care patients. In clinical practice, there is concern about both insufficient and excessive diagnosis and treatment of depression. In the Netherlands, family physicians have a central role in delivering palliative care. We explored variation in family physicians' opinions regarding the recognition, diagnosis, and management of depression in palliative care patients. METHODS We conducted a focus group study in a sample of family physicians with varied practice locations and varying expertise in palliative care. Transcripts were analyzed independently by 2 researchers using constant comparative analysis in ATLAS.ti. RESULTS In 4 focus group discussions with 22 family physicians, the physicians described the diagnostic and therapeutic process for depression in palliative care patients as a continuous and overlapping process. Differentiating between normal and abnormal sadness was viewed as challenging. The physicians did not strictly apply criteria of depressive disorder but rather relied on their clinical judgment and strongly considered patients' context and background factors. They indicated that managing depression in palliative care patients is mainly supportive and nonspecific. Antidepressant drugs were seldom prescribed. The physicians described difficulties in diagnosing and treating depression in palliative care, and gave suggestions to improve management of depression in palliative care patients in primary care. CONCLUSIONS Family physicians perceive the diagnosis and management of depression in palliative care patients as challenging. They rely on open communication and a long-standing physician-patient relationship in which the patient's context is of great importance. This approach fits with the patient-centered care that is promoted in primary care. | |
dc.publisher | Annals of Family Medicine, Inc. | |
dc.source | Annals of Family Medicine | |
dc.subject | Keywords: antidepressant agent; article; attitude to health; clinical competence; clinical practice; comparative effectiveness; depression; doctor patient relation; female; general practitioner; health personnel attitude; human; information processing; interpersona | |
dc.title | How family physicians address diagnosis and management of depression in palliative care patients | |
dc.type | Journal article | |
local.description.notes | Imported from ARIES | |
local.identifier.citationvolume | 10 | |
dc.date.issued | 2012 | |
local.identifier.absfor | 111717 - Primary Health Care | |
local.identifier.absfor | 111701 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health | |
local.identifier.absfor | 160104 - Social and Cultural Anthropology | |
local.identifier.ariespublication | f5625xPUB8807 | |
local.type.status | Published Version | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Warmenhoven, Franca, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Rijswijk, Eric van, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Hoogstraten, Elise van, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Spaendonck, Karel van, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Lucassen, Peter, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Prins, Judith, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Vissers, Kris C., Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre | |
local.contributor.affiliation | Van Weel, Chris, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU | |
local.description.embargo | 2037-12-31 | |
local.bibliographicCitation.issue | 4 | |
local.bibliographicCitation.startpage | 330 | |
local.bibliographicCitation.lastpage | 336 | |
local.identifier.doi | 10.1370/afm.1373 | |
dc.date.updated | 2016-02-24T09:44:06Z | |
local.identifier.scopusID | 2-s2.0-84863918554 | |
Collections | ANU Research Publications |
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