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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2005

Open Access 01-12-2005 | Research article

General practitioners' conceptions about treatment of depression and factors that may influence their practice in this area. A postal survey

Authors: Stig J Andersson, Margareta Troein, Gunnar Lindberg

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2005

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Abstract

Background

The way GPs work does not appear to be adapted to the needs of depressive patients. Therefore we wanted to examine Swedish GPs' conceptions of depressive disorders and their treatment and GPs' ideas of factors that may influence their manner of work with depressive patients.

Methods

A postal questionnaire to a stratified sample of 617 Swedish GPs.

Results

Most respondents assumed antidepressive drugs effective and did not assume that psychotherapy can replace drugs in depression treatment though many of them looked at psychotherapy as an essential complement. Nearly all respondents thought that clinical experiences had great importance in decision situations, but patients' own preferences and official clinical guidelines were also regarded as essential. As influences on their work, almost all surveyed GPs regarded experiences from general practice very important, and a majority also emphasised experiences from private life. Courses arranged by pharmaceutical companies were seen as essential sources of knowledge. A majority thought that psychiatrists did not provide sufficient help, while most respondents perceived they were well backed up by colleagues.

Conclusion

GPs tend to emphasize experiences, both from clinical work and private life, and overlook influences of collegial dealings and ongoing CME as well as the effects of the pharmaceutical companies' marketing activities. Many GPs appear to need more evidence based knowledge about depressive disorders. Interventions to improve depression management have to be supporting and interactive, and should be combined with organisational reforms to improve co-operation with psychiatrists.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
General practitioners' conceptions about treatment of depression and factors that may influence their practice in this area. A postal survey
Authors
Stig J Andersson
Margareta Troein
Gunnar Lindberg
Publication date
01-12-2005
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2005
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-6-21

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