Recognition of depression in people of different cultures: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Many minority group patients who attend primary health care are depressed. To identify a depressive state when GPs see patients from other cultures than their own can be difficult because of cultural and gender differences in expressions and problems of communication. The aim of...
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ftbiomed:oai:biomedcentral.com:1471-2296-10-53 2023-05-15T17:44:50+02:00 Recognition of depression in people of different cultures: a qualitative study Lehti, Arja Hammarström, Anne Mattsson, Bengt 2009-07-27 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/10/53 en eng BioMed Central Ltd. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/10/53 Copyright 2009 Lehti et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. Research article 2009 ftbiomed 2009-08-21T23:21:22Z Abstract Background Many minority group patients who attend primary health care are depressed. To identify a depressive state when GPs see patients from other cultures than their own can be difficult because of cultural and gender differences in expressions and problems of communication. The aim of this study was to explore and analyse how GPs think and deliberate when seeing and treating patients from foreign countries who display potential depressive features. Methods The data were collected in focus groups and through individual interviews with GPs in northern Sweden and analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results In the analysis three themes, based on various categories, emerged; "Realizing the background", "Struggling for clarity" and "Optimizing management". Patients' early life events of importance were often unknown which blurred the accuracy. Reactions to trauma, cultural frictions and conflicts between the new and old gender norms made the diagnostic process difficult. The patient-doctor encounter comprised misconceptions, and social roles in the meetings were sometimes confused. GPs based their judgement mainly on clinical intuition and the established classification of depressive disorders was discussed. Tools for management and adequate action were diffuse. Conclusion Dialogue about patients' illness narratives and social context are crucial. There is a need for tools for multicultural, general practice care in the depressive spectrum. It is also essential to be aware of GPs' own conceptions in order to avoid stereotypes and not to under- or overestimate the occurrence of depressive symptoms Article in Journal/Newspaper Northern Sweden BioMed Central |
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description |
Abstract Background Many minority group patients who attend primary health care are depressed. To identify a depressive state when GPs see patients from other cultures than their own can be difficult because of cultural and gender differences in expressions and problems of communication. The aim of this study was to explore and analyse how GPs think and deliberate when seeing and treating patients from foreign countries who display potential depressive features. Methods The data were collected in focus groups and through individual interviews with GPs in northern Sweden and analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results In the analysis three themes, based on various categories, emerged; "Realizing the background", "Struggling for clarity" and "Optimizing management". Patients' early life events of importance were often unknown which blurred the accuracy. Reactions to trauma, cultural frictions and conflicts between the new and old gender norms made the diagnostic process difficult. The patient-doctor encounter comprised misconceptions, and social roles in the meetings were sometimes confused. GPs based their judgement mainly on clinical intuition and the established classification of depressive disorders was discussed. Tools for management and adequate action were diffuse. Conclusion Dialogue about patients' illness narratives and social context are crucial. There is a need for tools for multicultural, general practice care in the depressive spectrum. It is also essential to be aware of GPs' own conceptions in order to avoid stereotypes and not to under- or overestimate the occurrence of depressive symptoms |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Lehti, Arja Hammarström, Anne Mattsson, Bengt |
spellingShingle |
Lehti, Arja Hammarström, Anne Mattsson, Bengt Recognition of depression in people of different cultures: a qualitative study |
author_facet |
Lehti, Arja Hammarström, Anne Mattsson, Bengt |
author_sort |
Lehti, Arja |
title |
Recognition of depression in people of different cultures: a qualitative study |
title_short |
Recognition of depression in people of different cultures: a qualitative study |
title_full |
Recognition of depression in people of different cultures: a qualitative study |
title_fullStr |
Recognition of depression in people of different cultures: a qualitative study |
title_full_unstemmed |
Recognition of depression in people of different cultures: a qualitative study |
title_sort |
recognition of depression in people of different cultures: a qualitative study |
publisher |
BioMed Central Ltd. |
publishDate |
2009 |
url |
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/10/53 |
genre |
Northern Sweden |
genre_facet |
Northern Sweden |
op_relation |
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/10/53 |
op_rights |
Copyright 2009 Lehti et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. |
_version_ |
1766147133707124736 |