Abstract
Objective
The authors examined the effect of supervision on internal medicine residents’ attitudes toward and management of depression.
Method
Internal medicine residents completed a survey during preclinical conferences. The survey included a published, validated questionnaire, the Depression Attitude Questionnaire, and items developed by the researchers.
Results
Of residents in attendance on the day of survey administration, 94% (51/54) agreed to participate. The study sample contained 39% of the 139-member residency program. About half (49%) reported feeling uncomfortable managing depression. Perceived training adequacy was correlated with a greater feeling of ease managing depression. Most residents reported screening ≤20% of patients for depression, although 71% indicated they are more likely to screen if it were a priority for their supervisor. Fifty-eight percent indicated that supervisors’ attitudes affect their own attitudes. However, significant correlations between supervisor and resident attitudes were not observed.
Conclusion
The results of this pilot study suggest that supervision can encourage screening and promote resident preparedness to manage depression.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kessler RC, Berglund P, Demler O; National Comorbidity Survey Replication: The Epidemiology of Major Depressive Disorder: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). JAMA 2003; 289:3095–3105
Docherty JP: Barriers to the diagnosis of depression in primary care. J Clin Psychiatry 1997; 58(Suppl 1):5–10
Thompson C, Kinmonth AL, Stevens L, et al: Effects of a clinical-practice guideline and practice-based education on detection and outcome of depression in primary care: Hampshire Depression Project randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2000;355:185–191
Lin EHB, Simon GE, Katzelnick DJ, et al: Does physician education on depression management improve treatment in primary care? J Gen Intern Med 2001; 16:614–619
Eisenberg L: Treating depression and anxiety in primary care: closing the gap between knowledge and practice. N Engl J Med 1992;326:1080–1084
Botega N, Mann A, Blizard R, et al: General practitioners and depression: first use of the Depression Attitude Questionnaire. Int J Method Psych 1992; 2:169–180
Haddad M, Walters P, Tylee A: District nursing staff and depression: a psychometric evaluation of Depression Attitude Questionnaire findings. Int J Nurs Stud 2007; 44:447–456
Leigh H, Mallios R, Stewart D: Teaching psychiatry in primary care residencies: do training directors of primary care and psychiatry see eye to eye? Acad Psychiatry 2008; 32:504–509
Sudak D, Roy A, Sudak H, et al: Deficiencies in suicide training in primary care specialties: a survey of training directors. Acad Psychiatry 2007; 31:345–349
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Milone, J.M., Gottumukkala, Ward, C.P. et al. The Impact of Supervision on Internal Medicine Residents’ Attitudes and Management of Depression in Primary Care: A Pilot Study. Acad Psychiatry 37, 94–97 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.11090156
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.11090156