Late Life Depression Education: Impact on Acute Care Nurses' Knowledge, Attitude, and Screening Practices

Late life depression (LLD) in hospitalized older adults is associated with poor outcomes. Unfortunately, LLD is often unrecognized by health care providers because of inadequate knowledge and unfavorable attitudes. The purpose of the current study was to measure the effectiveness of LLD education on acute care nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and screening and referral practices. A one-group pre-/post-test design was used. Data were collected using the Late Life Depression Quiz, Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire, and closed and open-ended practice questions. Forty nurses attended a 15-minute presentation on LLD and the 5-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Nurses were educated to screen adults aged ≥65 years for depression and refer those who screened positive to a social worker. There was a significant increase between pre- and posttest knowledge and attitude scores (p < 0.001). Screening increased significantly (p = 0.006) post-intervention, but no difference was noted in referrals to social workers. Findings support that a brief educational intervention increased nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward depression and depression screening in hospitalized older adults. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(12), 43-51.].