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Qualitative study of depression management in primary care: GP and patient goals, and the value of listening
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 15:05 authored by Olwyn Johnston, Satinder Kumar, Kathleen Kendall, Robert Peveler, John Gabbay, Tony KendrickBackground Guidelines for depression management have been developed but little is known about GP and patient goals, which are likely to influence treatment offers, uptake, and adherence. Aim To identify issues of importance to GPs, patients, and patients' supporters regarding depression management. GP and patient goals for depression management became a focus of the study. Design of study Grounded theory-based qualitative study. Setting GPs were drawn from 28 practices. The majority of patients and supporters were recruited from 10 of these practices. Method Sixty-one patients (28 depressed, 18 previously depressed, 15 never depressed), 18 supporters, and 32 GPs were interviewed. Results GPs described encouraging patients to view depression as separate from the self and ‘normal’ sadness. Patients and supporters often questioned such boundaries, rejecting the notion of a medical cure and emphasising self-management. The majority of participants who were considering depression-management strategies wanted to ‘get out’ of their depression. However, a quarter did not see this as immediately relevant or achievable. They focused on getting by from day to day, which had the potential to clash with GP priorities. GP frustration and uncertainty could occur when depression was resistant to cure. Participants identified the importance of GPs listening to patients, but often felt that this did not happen. Conclusion Physicians need greater awareness of the extent to which their goals for the management of depression are perceived as relevant or achievable by patients. Future research should explore methods of negotiating agreed strategies for management.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
British Journal of General PracticeISSN
0960-1643Publisher
Royal College of General PractitionersIssue
544Volume
57Article number
e1-e14Department affiliated with
- BSMS Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2009-06-23Usage metrics
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