Management Of Chronic Depression Research Articles

Lost in translation? A qualitative study of representations and management of chronic depression in general practice

BackgroundGPs are on the front line for the identification and management of chronic depression but not much is known of their representations and management of chronic depression.ObjectivesTo analyze GPs’ representations of chronic depression and to explore how they manage it.MethodsThree focus groups were conducted with 22 French-speaking general practitioners in Switzerland. The focus groups were transcribed and coded with MaxQDA. A detailed content analysis was carried out and the results were synthesized into a conceptual map.ResultsGPs form representations of chronic depression at the intersection of expert and lay knowledge. When talking about patients suffering from chronic depression, GPs mention middle-aged women with complex psychosocial situations and somatic complaints. GPs’ management of chronic depression relies on the relationship with their patients, but also on taking care of them as a whole: psyche, body and social context. GPs often feel helpless and lonely when confronted with a patient with chronic depression. They insist on the importance of collaboration and supervision. As regards chronic depression management, GPs remain alone with patients suffering from complex biopsychosocial situations. In other situations, GPs seek the help of a psychiatrist, sometimes quickly, sometimes after a long approach. In each situation, GPs have to develop skills for translating patients’ complaints.ConclusionGPs endorse a role of interpreter, making the physical presentation of their patient complaints move towards a psychological appreciation. Our results call for a renewed interest in GPs’ role as interpreters and the means to achieve it.

Les enjeux de la collaboration entre médecins généralistes et psychiatres

La collaboration des médecins généralistes et des psychiatres dans la prise en charge de la dépression chronique est considérée comme nécessaire, mais qualifiée de suboptimale dans la littérature. Cette étude qualitative vise à mieux cerner les facteurs qui influent sur la décision de référer un patient dépressif chronique au psychiatre. Pour ce faire, nous avons mené trois focus groups avec des généralistes suisses romands qui ont compté un total de vingt-deux participants. Les focus groups ont été enregistrés et retranscrits, puis codés par trois membres de l’équipe pluridisciplinaire de recherche, à l’aide du logiciel MaxQDA. Nous montrons qu’il existe un processus de classement des patients par les généralistes, entre ceux qui constituent des « bons cas » pour le psychiatre et ceux qui expriment leur souffrance uniquement par le corps, et qui ne seront traités qu’au cabinet du généraliste. Un tel classement peut, dès lors, produire des inégalités d’accès à la psychothérapie. Différentes raisons mènent les généralistes à référer leur patient. Nous constatons que celles-ci ne concernent que rarement la reconnaissance d’une expertise spécifique du psychiatre dans la prise en charge de la dépression chronique. Il apparaît aussi que les généralistes se perçoivent comme des spécialistes de la relation , qu’ils considèrent comme centrale dans la prise en charge de la dépression chronique. Par ailleurs, certains d’entre eux entretiennent des représentations négatives des psychiatres. Ces éléments évoquent l’existence d’enjeux autour des frontières professionnelles, ce qui peut jouer en défaveur d’une collaboration. En conclusion, une clarification des spécificités de chacun – par la formation et des rencontres interprofessionnelles – permettrait de diminuer les représentations négatives des généralistes sur les psychiatres et de favoriser la collaboration, facilitant ainsi l’acte de référer des patients dépressifs chroniques au psychiatre.

Prescription drug misuse: a growing national problem.

Misuse of prescription drugs has been a growing problem in the United States affecting all age groups, including adolescents. Recent years have produced many advances in medical management of chronic pain, depression and anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Many of the medications used to treat these disorders, such as the opioids, benzodiazepines, and psychostimulants, also have potential for abuse and dependence. The challenge for the clinician today is to maximize safe and effective treatment with available medication, while preventing the diversion of prescribed medication or the development of substance-related disorders in patients receiving these medications.

If the referral fits: bridging the gap between patient and referrer requirements in a tertiary referral unit.

We examined the reasons for which doctors refer and patients request referral to our tertiary Mood Disorders Unit (MDU), focussing on congruence and 'fit', and the potential for more efficient use of referral resources. A postal survey of patients (n = 265 or 83% responders) and referrers (n = 156 or 94% responders) sought views regarding referral and service components. Ratings from 156 matched referrer-patient dyads were compared. Overall, referrers and patients were satisfied with the MDU. There was disparity between what referrers sought and what patients thought were the reasons for referral, and different perceptions of the value of interventions and the amount of improvement. Congruent matched referrer-patient judgements of patient outcome were more likely to correspond with objective clinician ratings than discordant ratings. Satisfaction with MDU contact or intervention was not necessarily linked to improvement; better management of chronic depression was also valued. Referrer and patient responses to open-ended questions highlighted beneficial ingredients of referral. There was considerable lack of fit between referrers' and patients' experience of the referral. Better communication between referrer and patients can clarify the purpose of referral and possibly lead to increased compliance with medical regimens.