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International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

The prevalence of suicidal ideation and depression among primary care patients and current management in South Korea

Authors: Yoon-Joo Choi, Weon-Young Lee

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Primary care in South Korea has no effective screening system to identify high-risk suicide patients despite to the possibility of hidden patients. The present study examined the prevalence of suicidal ideation and depression among primary care patients and investigated rates of recognition and management strategies of physicians as they encountering patients with suicidal ideation and depression in primary care settings.

Methods

This study was conducted as a two-part survey of patients visiting primary care clinics and their physicians. (1) The survey for patients was administered over 17 days in two areas and assessed socio-demographic characteristics, health behavior and the prevalence of suicidal ideation and depression. The participants were 1363 outpatients; 848 lived in urban area, and 515 were from rural area. (2) We surveyed the physicians’ recognition of patients with suicidal ideations and depression as well as their current management. Eighteen doctors at 15 local clinics (8 in urban area and 7 in rural area) participated in this survey.

Results

The prevalence rates of suicidal ideation and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥ 10) were 18.3% (95% confidence interval: 16.2–20.3) and 13.9% (95% CI 12.6–15.7), respectively in primary care settings. The rates of suicidal ideation and depression were approximately 2.4 times and 1.4 times higher, respectively than those in community dwelling people. Ten (69.7%) and 4 (26.7%) of the 15 clinics staffed physicians who did not recognize suicidal ideation and depression, respectively. Five (83.3%) of 6 and 4 (38.6%) of 14 physicians who recognized suicidal ideation and depression among their patients respectively, only recommended psychiatry without any arrangements for a referral.

Conclusion

Our findings imply that many patients with suicidal ideations and depression in primary care settings are under-diagnosed and under-treated. As a result, education and training of the identification and management of suicidal ideation and depression should be made available to physicians in primary care settings.
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Metadata
Title
The prevalence of suicidal ideation and depression among primary care patients and current management in South Korea
Authors
Yoon-Joo Choi
Weon-Young Lee
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health Systems / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1752-4458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0123-9

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