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Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2014 Jun;48(6):571-8. doi: 10.1177/0004867413520047. Epub 2014 Jan 10.

Accuracy of general practitioner unassisted detection of depression.

The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry

Mariko Carey, Kim Jones, Graham Meadows, Rob Sanson-Fisher, Catherine D'Este, Kerry Inder, Sze Lin Yoong, Grant Russell

Affiliations

  1. Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia [email protected].
  2. Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia.
  3. Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
  4. Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
  5. Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
  6. Southern Academic Primary Care Research Unit, School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, Notting Hill, Australia.

PMID: 24413807 PMCID: PMC4230951 DOI: 10.1177/0004867413520047

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Primary care is an important setting for the treatment of depression. The aim of the study was to describe the accuracy of unassisted general practitioner judgements of patients' depression compared to a standardised depression-screening tool delivered via touch-screen computer.

METHOD: English-speaking patients, aged 18 or older, completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) when presenting for care to one of 51 general practitioners in Australia. General practitioners were asked whether they thought the patients were clinically depressed. General practitioner judgements of depression status were compared to PHQ-9 results.

RESULTS: A total of 1558 patients participated. Twenty per cent of patients were identified by the PHQ-9 as being depressed. General practitioners estimated a similar prevalence; however, when compared to the PHQ-9, GP judgement had a sensitivity of 51% (95% CI [32%, 66%]) and a specificity of 87% (95% CI [78%, 93%]).

CONCLUSIONS: General practitioner unassisted judgements of depression in their patients lacked sensitivity when compared to a standardised psychiatric measure used in general practice.

© The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2014.

Keywords: Case finding; depression; primary care; screening; sensitivity; specificity

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