Managing depression in primary care: A meta-synthesis of qualitative and quantitative research from the UK to identify barriers and facilitators
2011

Managing Depression in Primary Care

Sample size: 2738 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Elizabeth A Barley, Joanna Murray, Paul Walters, André Tylee

Primary Institution: Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London

Hypothesis

What are the barriers and facilitators perceived by clinicians in managing depression in primary care?

Conclusion

Primary care clinicians need guidance to address the social needs of depressed patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • Detection and management of depression is considered complex.
  • Clinicians reported ambivalent attitudes towards working with depressed patients.
  • A lack of confidence and limited management options complicate depression care.

Takeaway

Doctors and nurses find it hard to help people with depression because they are unsure about how to manage it and often feel overwhelmed.

Methodology

Systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies published in the UK since 2000.

Potential Biases

Potential biases in clinician attitudes and the quality of included studies.

Limitations

The review did not include studies on managing depression co-morbid with physical illness.

Participant Demographics

Included 2738 GPs and 476 practice nurses, varying in gender, age, years in practice, and ethnicity.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2296-12-47

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