Knowledge of Depressive Illness among Non- Psychiatrist Doctors

Abstract

Objective: To ascertain the knowledge of non-psychiatrist doctors to suspect and diagnose Depressive Illness presenting to them in garb of physical or somatic symptoms. Methodology: This Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at Social Security hospital in one year, from January 2016- January 2017. A simple questionnaire was developed, asking three basic diagnostic symptoms of depressive illness and the duration of illness needed for its diagnosis. Non-psychiatrist doctors from a tertiary care hospital were given five minutes to complete it in front of the research officer. Results: Three out of forty seven responding doctors knew about the three basic symptoms of depression with the required duration for diagnosis. Conclusions: A vast majority of the practising doctors or general practitioners are unaware of the characteristic features of Depressive Illness. Therefore, non-psychiatrist doctors are unable to suspect or diagnose Depressive illness.