Barriers to treating depression in the family physician's office

Can J Commun Ment Health. 2004 Spring;23(1):37-46. doi: 10.7870/cjcmh-2004-0003.

Abstract

This qualitative research aims to understand, from the standpoint of the family physician, the barriers to treating depression in the office setting. Three primary barriers to treating depression in the family physician's office were identified: systemic, physician-related, and patient-related. The systemic barriers involved the shortage of qualified, publicly-funded counsellors, lack of locally available counselling, and the cost of medication. Physician-related barriers included lack of time and expertise, and inadequacies of the reimbursement system. Patient-related barriers were rooted in the stigma attached to depression and failure to comply with treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / economics
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Canada
  • Counseling / supply & distribution
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Drug Costs / statistics & numerical data
  • Family Practice*
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / economics
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Care Team / economics
  • Patient Care Team / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Compliance / psychology
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Primary Health Care / economics
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Rural Health / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents