GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS ATTITUDES TOWARDS DEPRESSION - A STUDY IN PRIMARY-CARE SETTING IN BRAZIL

A self-report instrument comprising twenty visual analogue scale state ments about attitudes towards depression was sent to all 110 general p ractitioners working in primary health care centres in the city of Cam pinas, Brazil, The statements of the Depression attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) cover three main areas: nature of depression, treatment prefere nces and professional reactions regarding depressed patients, Seventy- eight (71%) doctors returned the questionnaire, Forty-two percent of t he doctors believe ''it is difficult to differentiate whether patients are presenting with unhappiness or a clinical depressive disorder tha t needs treatment'', Sixty-three percent believe that ''antidepressant s usually produce a satisfactory result in the treatment of depressed patients in general practice'', However, most doctors would refer pati ents in need of antidepressants (66%) or psychotherapy (60%) to a spec ialist, They also view the treatment of depression as ''heavy going'' (46%) and ''unrewarding'' (57%). These findings suggest a need for fur ther education of general practitioners on the nature, diagnosis and m anagement of depressive disorders.