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Depression assessment by oncologists and palliative care physicians
Wadih Rhondali1, Elise Perceau2, Pierre Saltel3
1Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
Palliative & Supportive Care
|May 16, 2012
Summary
Oncologists and palliative care physicians demonstrated strong baseline knowledge of depression symptoms in cancer patients. However, their assessment skills did not significantly improve after an educational intervention, suggesting environmental factors hinder depression diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
- Palliative Care
Background:
- Depression is prevalent in cancer patients, impacting quality of life.
- Underdiagnosis of depression in cancer patients is common due to assessment challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and enhance depression assessment strategies used by palliative care (PC) physicians and oncologists.
- To investigate physicians' perceptions of depression screening in cancer care.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter prospective study involving 34 oncologists and PC physicians.
- Physicians classified depression symptoms' importance at baseline, post-education, and 4-week follow-up.
- Physicians completed questionnaires on depression perception and screening roles.
Main Results:
- Over 70% correctly identified key depression symptoms at baseline.
- No significant improvement in symptom classification was observed post-intervention.
- A majority supported systematic depression screening and oncologists' involvement.
Conclusions:
- Oncologists possess good baseline knowledge and a positive attitude towards depression screening.
- Barriers to diagnosing depression in cancer patients likely stem from the clinical environment, not physician knowledge.
- Improving depression assessment may require addressing systemic issues within oncology settings.
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