GPs' perceptions and offers of treatment for depression.
| Phase of study | Offered no treatment n (%) | Offered anti-depressants n (%) | Offered follow-up or referral n (%) | Total | P valuea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase I | |||||
| Perceived severity of depression | |||||
| Moderate | 10 (56) | 4 (22) | 4 (22) | 18 | |
| Mild | 36 (84) | 1 (2) | 6 (14) | 43 | 0.019 |
| Perceived life events or social problems | |||||
| Present | 40 (77) | 3 (6) | 9 (17) | 52 | |
| Uncertain | 5 (100) | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| Not present | 1 (25) | 2 (50 | 1 (25) | 4 | 0.030 |
| Perceived attitude to antidepressants | |||||
| Positive | 6 (46) | 3 (23) | 4 (31) | 13 | |
| Not certain | 17 (90) | 0 | 2 (11) | 19 | |
| Negative | 23 (79) | 2 (7) | 4 (14) | 29 | 0.045 |
| Previous mental health problems | |||||
| Yes | 26 (70) | 4 (11) | 7 (19) | 37 | |
| No/uncertain | 20 (83) | 1(4) | 3 (13) | 24 | 0.490 |
| Previous treatment with antidepressants | |||||
| Yes | 15 (17) | 4 (16) | 6 (24) | 25 | |
| No/uncertain | 31 (86) | 1 (3) | 4 (11) | 36 | 0.045 |
| Previously known to the doctor | |||||
| Well known | 35 (76) | 5 (11) | 6 (13) | 46 | |
| No/not well | 11 (79) | 0 | 3 (21) | 14 | 0.374 |
| Chronic physical health problems | |||||
| Yes | 28 (78) | 3 (8) | 5 (14) | 36 | |
| No | 18 (72) | 2 (8) | 5 (20) | 25 | 0.901 |
| Phase II | |||||
| Perceived severity of depression | |||||
| Moderate | 3 (25) | 7 (58) | 2 (17) | 12 | |
| Mild | 25 (89) | 2 (7) | 1 (4) | 28 | 0.001 |
| Perceived adverse life events or difficulties | |||||
| Present | 20 (67) | 8 (27) | 2 (7) | 30 | |
| Uncertain | 2 (100) | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Not present | 6 (75) | 1 (13) | 1 (13) | 8 | 0.847 |
| Perceived attitude to antidepressants | |||||
| Positive | 3 (30) | 5 (50) | 2 (20) | 10 | |
| Not certain | 7 (88) | 0 | 1 (13) | 8 | |
| Negative | 18 (82) | 4 (18) | 0 | 22 | 0.004 |
| Previous mental health problems | |||||
| Yes | 8 (53) | 5 (33) | 2 (13) | 15 | |
| No/uncertain | 0 (80) | 4 (16) | 1 (4) | 25 | 0.185 |
| Previous treatment with antidepressants | |||||
| Yes | 10 (59) | 6 (35) | 1 (6) | 17 | |
| No/uncertain | 18 (78) | 3 (13) | 2 (9) | 23 | 0.210 |
| Previously known to the doctor | |||||
| Well known | 23 (68) | 9 (27) | 2 (6) | 34 | |
| No/not well | 5 (83) | 0 | 1 (17) | 6 | 0.243 |
| Chronic physical health problems | |||||
| Yes | 21 (78) | 4 (15) | 2 (17) | 27 | |
| No | 7 (54) | 5 (39) | 1 (8) | 13 | 0.236 |
↵a Pearson χ2 exact test.