Table 2.

Delivery format and content of the "Training program for professional carers to recognise and manage depression in palliative care settings"

Session 1 Understanding Depression	Session 2 Detecting Depression	Session 3 Responding to Depression	Session 4 Family Focus
• diagnostic definitions and prevalence • signs and symptoms of depression useful for detection in the palliative care setting • distinguishing grief and depression • impact on physical, psychological and social areas at end-of-life • treatments • common misconceptions • distinguishing depression and anxiety	• using a depression monitoring checklist [17,18] * • communication skills • factors related to masked depression in palliative care settings • barriers to detection of depression in palliative care settings	• using a two-question depression screening tool [19,20] ** • responding to depression-related and 'desire to die' statements • support strategies for depressed patients	• psychological distress amongst patient's family members • the family system • support strategies for family members of patients • grief and bereavement • cultural considerations • self-care strategies for staff

*This depression monitoring checklist has been adapted from a similar checklist that has demonstrated success in the aged-care setting in assisting staff to recognise depression **This screening tool specifically targets clinical depression, has been validated against reliable and valid measures of depression, and has demonstrated good psychometric properties in the palliative care setting.