MAJOR DEPRESSION IN PRIMARY-CARE PRACTICE - CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT IMPLICATIONS

Major depression is thought to be underdiagnosed and undertreated in p rimary medical care facilities. The authors conducted a clinical trial that included a three-phase assessment so only ambulatory medical pat ients judged eligible for treatment of this disorder in medical settin gs were recruited. In addition to administering the Center for Epidemi ologic Studies-Depression scale and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule' s (DIS) Depression section, the psychiatrists evaluated the DIS-positi ve patients. This third assessment determined that clinical characteri stics of DIS-positive patients were such that 70% of the patients coul d be treated for major depression in a primary care setting, 13% shoul d probably be referred to a mental health facility, and 17% were exper iencing conditions other than major depression.