Knowledge of late life depression and aging among primary care physicians

This study assessed 52 physicians from Memphis, Tennessee, and their knowle dge of late life depression and its relationship to their knowledge of agin g in general. The ages and gender of the physicians, their years of practic e, the amount and quality of their contact with elderly patients and their attitudes toward the elderly were also assessed. The physicians scored 80% correct on the Late Life Depression Quiz and 65% correct on the Facts on Ag ing Quiz. Regression results indicated the variables significantly associat ed with the number of misconceptions regarding late life depression were am ount of negative bias toward the elderly, followed by limited contact with older adults. Knowledge of late life depression was not related to the amou nt of physician contact with older adults and elderly patients, but rather the quality of that contact. Implications for effective identification and care of late life depression are discussed.