Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Koenig, H. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Koenig, H. G. Depression Syndromes Secondary to General Medical Disorders

Recognition of Depression in Medical Patients With Heart Failure

Received January 23, 2006; revised April 28, 2006; accepted May 3, 2006. From the Duke University Medical Center and GRECC VA Medical Center. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Koenig, Box 3400, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710. e-mail: koenig{at}geri.duke.edu
© 2007 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine

The author examined physician and patient factors related to recognition of depression in depressed medical patients. Medical inpatients over age 50 were systematically identified with depressive disorder (N=1,000). Medical physicians (N=422) treating these patients were asked whether they believed patients had depression warranting specific treatment. Frequency of seeing and treating older depressed patients and attitudes toward treatment effectiveness were key factors related to physicians’ recognition of depression. Patient factors were younger age, white race, female gender, and persistence of depression after discharge. Although physicians’ intuition about depression course was often correct, persistent depression was not recognized in nearly 40% of patients.

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2007 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us