Family doctors' problems and motivating factors in management of depression

Abstract

BackgroundDepression is a frequent psychiatric disorder, and depressive patient may be more problematic for the family doctors (FD) than a patient suffering from a somatic disease. Treatment of patients with depressive disorders is a relatively new task for Estonian FDs. The aim of our study was to find out the family doctors' attitudes to depression related problems, their readiness, motivating factors and problems in the treatment of depressive patients as well as the existence of relevant knowledge.MethodsIn 2002, altogether 500 FDs in Estonia were invited to take part in a tailor-made questionnaire survey, of which 205 agreed to participate.ResultsOf the respondents 185(90%) considered management of depressive patients and their treatment to be the task of FDs. One hundred and eighty FDs (88%) were themselves ready to deal with depressed patients, and 200(98%) of them actually treated such patients. Commitment to the interests of the patients, better cooperation with successfully treated patients, the patients' higher confidence in FDs and disappearance of somatic complaints during the treatment of depression were the motivating factors for FDs. FDs listed several important problems interfering with their work with depressive patients: limited time for one patient, patients' attitudes towards the diagnosis of depression, doctors' difficulties to change the underlying causes of depression, discontinuation of the treatment due to high expenses and length. Although 115(56%) respondents maintained that they had sufficient knowledge for diagnostics and treatment of depression, 181(88%) were of the opinion that they needed additional training.ConclusionFDs are ready to manage patients who might suffer from depression and are motivated by good doctor-patient relationship. However, majority of them feel that they need additional training.

Patients with depressive disorder, their co-morbidity, visiting rate and disability in relation to self-evaluation of physical and mental health: a cross-sectional study in family practice

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Primary health care in transition: Variations in service profiles of general practitioners in Estonia and in Finland between 1993 and 2012

“…Another reason might be related to GPs' knowledge and skills around psychological and mental health problems. As previously found, Estonian GPs were willing to manage patients with depression; however, most them felt that they needed additional training [30]. In general, Estonian GPs became less involved in managing acute problems.…”

Women Family Physicians' Personal Experiences in the Republic of Moldova

“…Family physicians' ability to adequately address and treat patients' psychosocial problemspredominantly depression-most often requires follow-up appointments and counseling beyond the allotted appointment time for acute problems. As was the case among Estonian family physicians, 14 their Moldovan counterparts may also need additional depression-related training.…”