Oncology staff recognition of depressive symptoms on videotaped interviewsof depressed cancer patients: Implications for designing a training program

We examined oncologists' and nurses' ability to recognize depressive sympto ms in two cancer patients who were interviewed on videotape. The study was conducted in a rural community, hospital-based outreach network. Staff were given a one-hour in-service on the use of the Mini International Neuropsyc hiatric interview (MINI)-a brief diagnostic interview-to provide a differen tial diagnosis (no psychiatric diagnosis, major depressive disorder or adju stment disorder with depressed mood). Next, the staff viewed a videotape of an investigator (S.P) utilizing the MINI to interview two depressed breast cancer patients. Staff subsequently rated depressive symptoms on the MINI and made a diagnosis. Findings indicated a high concordance among staff reg arding symptom ratings on a straightforward example of major depressive dis order Concordance on diagnosis, severity level, and specific symptoms decli ned slightly on a mom difficult case involving primarily cognitive symptoms and a diagnosis of adjustment disorder Following brief didactic training o n depressive disorders, oncologists and nurses were able to identify depres sive symptoms in cancer patients on videotape. Learning to use a semistruct ured interview can increase oncologists' awareness of depressive symptoms a nd may be a good training model. (C) U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee, 200 0.