Assessment and management of depression: an imperative for community-based practice

The purpose of this mental health training program was to increase primary care nurses' knowledge and skills about depression. The program emphasized criteria for assessing depression, presented psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic content, discussed care coordination among multiple agencies and providers, and addressed referral resources. Highlighted were cultural and developmental issues for Native Americans, Mexican-Americans, the elderly, and adolescents. The training program successfully increased primary care nurses' knowledge about depression and their abilities to use this knowledge in clinical practice.