Article Figures & Data
Tables
Characteristic Range Mean PHQ-9 = Patient Health Questionnaire, from the PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire. Age, years 18–73 44 Education, years 0–18 10.1 Income, $ 0–10,000 to 50,000–100,000 0–10,000 PHQ-9 score (SD) 6–25 15 (5.2) Female, % 77 - Works outside the home, % 37 - Language of interview, % Spanish 51 - English 49 - Place of birth, % Puerto Rico 33 - Dominican Republic 25 - United States 30 - Other 12 - Experience No. (%) Currently in treatment 51 (42) Received treatment in the past (not currently in treatment) 40 (33) Took medications in past 16 (13) Received therapy in past 34 (26) Has discussed depression with physician 51 (42) Received intervention from physician 50 (42) Received prescription 18 (15) Received counseling 30 (25) Received referral from physician 19 (16) Perception of Treatment No. (%) Medication Would be helpful 65 (54) Maybe or not sure 17 (19) Therapy or counseling Would be helpful 105 (88) Maybe or not sure 9 (8) Discussing depression with my physician Would be helpful 75 (62) Maybe or not sure 10 (8.4) Self-help strategies that would help Taking care of current problems in living 51 (42) Talking with people more about my feelings 57 (48) - Table 4.
Perceived Benefits of Physician Consultation Among Patients Who Thought Consultation Would be Helpful, or Were Not Sure (n = 85)
Perceived Benefit No. (%) Physicians help because they give advice or guidance 43 (50) Physicians help because they talk to me 12 (14) Physicians help because they offer antidepressant medication 27 (32) Physicians help by giving mental health referrals 22 (26) Physicians help with physical problems that cause depression 12 (14) - Table 5.
Perceived Efficacies of Medication, Among Patients Who Said Medication Would be Helpful, or Were Not Sure (n = 83)
Efficacy No. (%) Sedative effects (calming, relaxing, helping with sleep) 47 (56) Tonic (energizing, helping person work more, concentrate better) 18 (21) Mood improvement (“helps you stop crying”) 3 (4) - Table 6.
Perceived Efficacies of Psychotherapy/Counseling, Among Those Who Thought It Would be Helpful, or Were Not Sure (n = 114)
Efficacy No. (%) Speaking intimately in a supportive setting 72 (63) Getting things off your chest 64 (56 ) Giving advice or helping to make decisions 52 (46) Resolving past issues 6 (5) Changing your behavior 13 (11) Changing your thinking 19 (17)
Additional Files
Supplemental Appendix
Supplemental Appendix. Interview Guide
Files in this Data Supplement:
- Supplemental data: Appendix - PDF file, 3 pages, 114 KB
The Article in Brief
Conceptual Models of Treatment in Depressed Hispanic Patients
By Alison Karasz, PhD, and colleagues
Background There has been little study of how primary care patients view depression and its treatment. This study investigates how depressed Hispanic patients view primary care treatments for depression. In particular, it focuses on their views of the benefits and effectiveness of such treatments.
What This Study Found Most patients think their primary care doctor could be helpful in treating their depression. Three quarters believe that medication could be helpful or are not sure, and many patients are optimistic about the benefits of counseling. Patients who are currently being treated for depression are likely to view it as effective. Conversation is seen as a benefit of being treated by a primary care doctor for depression.
Implications
- Guidelines for depression treatment emphasize diagnosis and technical care. In contrast, this study finds that participants view "supportive talk" with the doctor as an effective treatment for depression.
- Little is know about the effectiveness of doctors' conversations with depressed patients or the content of such conversations. These are important topics for future study.
- Patients' views of the effectiveness of depression treatments may help shape their decisions about initiating and continuing treatment.
