Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow E-letters: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when E-letters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (6)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Hammond, M. F.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Hammond, M. F.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Age and Ageing 2004; 33: 189-192
© 2004, British Geriatrics Society

Short Report

Doctors’ and nurses’ observations on the Geriatric Depression Rating Scale

Margaret F. Hammond

Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Liverpool, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK Fax: (+44) 151 706 4064. Email: mhammond{at}liv.ac.uk

Abstract

Background: screening older patients routinely for depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale is recommended, but there is little evidence that this practice is widespread. This study explored doctors’ and nurses’ attitudes towards the Geriatric Depression Scale in order to identify possibilities for improving practice.

Design: structured interviews.

Setting: Acute Care of the Elderly wards in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Participants: 20 junior doctors and 25 nurses.

Results: only 10% of respondents would consider using the Geriatric Depression Scale for routine screening. Objections were to process as well as content. The Geriatric Depression Scale was felt to be ‘too depressing’ for routine use and a barrier to rapport with the patient. In addition to screening for possible depression, doctors and nurses expressed different requirements from a depression scale. Doctors wanted a formal method of rating and documenting symptoms. Nurses required a therapeutic structure within which they could help patients to explore feelings. Nurses also wanted the option of offering counselling for their patients but felt they needed training.

Conclusions: lack of enthusiasm for the Geriatric Depression Scale reduces its usefulness as a screening tool. A screening method that is more acceptable to nurses and doctors might improve depression screening practice.

Keywords: aged, depression/diagnosis, geriatric assessment, questionnaires

Received July 23, 2003; accepted in revised form August 27, 2003.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Journal of Research in NursingHome page
S. Lambert, W.-Y. Cheung, S. Davies, L. Gardner, and V. Thomas
Comparison of two tools developed to assess the needs of older people with complex care needs
Journal of Research in Nursing, September 1, 2009; 14(5): 421 - 436.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Clin RehabilHome page
S. Hart and R. Morris
Screening for depression after stroke: an exploration of professionals' compliancewith guidelines
Clinical Rehabilitation, January 1, 2008; 22(1): 60 - 70.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of Research in NursingHome page
S. Lambert, V. Thomas, and L. Gardner
`Introducing yourself to strangers': Nurses' views on assessing older people with complex care needs
Journal of Research in Nursing, July 1, 2007; 12(4): 349 - 360.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.