 |
OPINIONNational Depression Screening Day: A few minutes can mean a lotScreening offers the perfect opportunity for physicians to start asking the simple questions that will uncover which patients are suffering in silence.Editorial. Sept. 23/30, 2002. On average, an estimated 19 million Americans experience a depressive illness each year. On its own it is a striking statistic. Contained within it is a pressing challenge for the medical profession: A large percentage of these people continue to slip through the cracks -- living with depression undiagnosed and untreated, and contributing to the illness' high tally of human and monetary costs. Also adding to the tragedy is the fact that in many cases, these are actually patients who have regular contact with a physician, but whose depression goes unnoticed. That's why the AMA is again endorsing National Depression Screening Day, now in its fifth year. The AMA is encouraging physicians across the country to take advantage of the event -- either on the designated day of Oct. 10 or on another one that is convenient -- to test-drive approaches that will allow them to better incorporate mental health screening into their practices while also gaining a better picture of the problems that their patients may be facing. This year's screening day is especially timely. It comes on the heels of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force findings published in May that recommend primary care physicians screen all adult patients for depression. Adults and the elderly have the highest rates of depression. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men. Also at risk are those with a history of depression, the unemployed and those with chronic disease. Depression rates are highest among older adults with coexisting medical conditions -- definitely people who have regular contact with their doctors. For example, 12% of older people hospitalized for problems such as hip fracture or heart disease are diagnosed with depression. Rates of depression for older persons in nursing homes range from 15% to 25%. [...] Full text of AMNews content is available to AMA members and paid subscribers.
Copyright 2002 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
|
|
Feature articlesRunning out of patches Options for fixing the Medicare pay crisis Illness interrupts book excerpt: Life in the Balance Taking it to the bank A new strategy for health plans Allergic reaction Food allergies increasing, especially among children Comprehensive coverage
Most-viewedJan. 5 issuePressure builds for further slashes to Medicare Advantage spending Medical centers reveal doctors' industry pay Columns and series
From the vault: 5 years agoAMA vows united voice in battle for tort reform Jan. 5, 2004 |
