A preliminary study of aged care facility staff indicates limitations in awareness of the link between depression and physical morbidity

BMC Geriatrics

Ian B Hickie⁴  Georgina M Luscombe²  Sharon L Naismith³  Joanna Atkins¹ 

[1] Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia;Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia;Clinical Research Unit, Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia;Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

关键词: Physical illness;    Depression;    Elderly;   

Others  :  857809
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2318-13-30

 received in 2012-07-19, accepted in 2013-03-28,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

It is important to understand the complex inter-relationship between depression and physical illness in order to plan and provide quality health care services for older persons and reduce suffering and early mortality. This study assessed the awareness and knowledge of age-care staff of the link between physical morbidity and depression.

Methods

One hundred and nineteen staff from both residential (high and low care) and community aged care facilities were surveyed on their awareness and knowledge of the relationship between physical morbidity and symptoms of depression. Predictors of levels of knowledge were assessed using multiple regression analysis.

Results

Awareness of the link between physical morbidity and symptoms of depression was generally high. However, while nearly eighty percent of respondents said they had had training in mental health, they were only able to answer an average of six out of ten of the knowledge questions correctly. Predictors of knowledge were: higher age, higher educational status and working in a high care facility.

Conclusions

Responses to the survey questions demonstrated gaps in knowledge about the relationship between depression and physical health. The need for regular ongoing training to improve knowledge and awareness of this relationship is indicated. Treatment of physical health issues which is essential in reducing the risk for depression in older persons in aged care environments could be optimized by improved staff training.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Atkins et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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