The Attitudes Towards Depression Of General Practitioners Can Be Improved By An Educational Program

Abstract

Background

Continuous education of physicians is critical for the quality of medical care.

Objectives

To investigate the attitudes of general practitioners towards depression and to evaluate the short- and long-term impact of a specific designed postgraduate university program in depression.

Method

In this prospective, interventional study participated 1322-certificated Family Practice specialist. They filled out the Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) Spanish validated version before starting the educational intervention; an official approved 12 ECTS postgraduate university program. The participant refilled the questionnaires at the end of the course and 6 months later.

Results

A total of 885 females and 420 males (mean 48 years) and with a mean clinical experience of 25 years participated in this study. Short-term after training, PGs positively significant (P < 0.05) changed their attitudes in the management of depression in 18 out 20 items of the DAQ. There were not significant changes in only item 1 related to the number of patients presenting depressive symptoms seen in the last 5 years and the knowledge of the underlying biochemical abnormality. In the long-term, the positive effects observed in the short-term did not significantly change. However, in item 1 a significantly increase was observed. The effectiveness of the intervention was related nor to the to the age and sex of the physician nor to the years of medical practice.

Conclusions

A specific designed educational program can improve the attitudes in depression of GPs. Years of clinical practice are not a limitation for improving the medical attitudes of General practitioners in mental health.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.