Biomaterial Database

Doctors' and nurses' observations on the Geriatric Depression Rating Scale. 2004

Margaret F Hammond

Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK. mhammond@liv.ac.uk

BACKGROUND Screening older patients routinely for depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale is recommended, but there is little evidence that this practice is widespread. This study explored doctors' and nurses' attitudes towards the Geriatric Depression Scale in order to identify possibilities for improving practice. METHODS structured interviews. METHODS Acute Care of the Elderly wards in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. METHODS 20 junior doctors and 25 nurses. RESULTS Only 10% of respondents would consider using the Geriatric Depression Scale for routine screening. Objections were to process as well as content. The Geriatric Depression Scale was felt to be 'too depressing' for routine use and a barrier to rapport with the patient. In addition to screening for possible depression, doctors and nurses expressed different requirements from a depression scale. Doctors wanted a formal method of rating and documenting symptoms. Nurses required a therapeutic structure within which they could help patients to explore feelings. Nurses also wanted the option of offering counselling for their patients but felt they needed training. CONCLUSIONS Lack of enthusiasm for the Geriatric Depression Scale reduces its usefulness as a screening tool. A screening method that is more acceptable to nurses and doctors might improve depression screening practice.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007407	Interviews as Topic	Works about conversations with an individual or individuals held in order to obtain information about their background and other personal biographical data, their attitudes and opinions, etc. It includes works about school admission or job interviews.	Group Interviews,Interviewers,Interviews, Telephone,Oral History as Topic,Group Interview,Interview, Group,Interview, Telephone,Interviewer,Interviews, Group,Telephone Interview,Telephone Interviews
D008297	Male		Males
D011795	Surveys and Questionnaires	Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions.	Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D003866	Depressive Disorder	An affective disorder manifested by either a dysphoric mood or loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities. The mood disturbance is prominent and relatively persistent.	Depression, Endogenous,Depression, Neurotic,Depression, Unipolar,Depressive Syndrome,Melancholia,Neurosis, Depressive,Unipolar Depression,Depressions, Endogenous,Depressions, Neurotic,Depressions, Unipolar,Depressive Disorders,Depressive Neuroses,Depressive Neurosis,Depressive Syndromes,Disorder, Depressive,Disorders, Depressive,Endogenous Depression,Endogenous Depressions,Melancholias,Neuroses, Depressive,Neurotic Depression,Neurotic Depressions,Syndrome, Depressive,Syndromes, Depressive,Unipolar Depressions
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly
D001291	Attitude of Health Personnel	Attitudes of personnel toward their patients, other professionals, toward the medical care system, etc.	Staff Attitude,Attitude, Staff,Attitudes, Staff,Health Personnel Attitude,Health Personnel Attitudes,Staff Attitudes
D015577	Geriatric Assessment	Evaluation of the level of physical, physiological, or mental functioning in the older population group.	Assessment, Geriatric,Assessments, Geriatric,Geriatric Assessments