Table 5.
Rural physicians’ views of items potentially helpful in improving ability to care for geriatric patients with depression
| Item | Helpfulness rating† n(%) | Mean (SD) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not at all helpful | Possibly helpful | Helpful | Very helpful | ||
| Better availability of psychologists/counselors | 1 (1.3) | 2 (2.6) | 22 (28.9) | 51 (67.1) | 3.62 (.61) |
| Increased time to spend with each patient | 1 (1.3) | 8 (10.5) | 37 (48.7) | 30 (39.5) | 3.26 (.70) |
| Improved patient compliance with treatment | 0 (0.0) | 7 (9.2) | 44 (57.9) | 25 (32.9) | 3.24 (.61) |
| Increased reimbursement for counseling | 3 (3.9) | 11 (14.5) | 28 (36.8) | 34 (44.7) | 3.22 (.84) |
| Mental health services located in primary care office | 3 (3.9) | 11 (14.5) | 33 (43.4) | 29 (38.2) | 3.16 (.82) |
| Greater emphasis in training on link between mental and physical health | 5 (6.6) | 15 (19.7) | 38 (50.0) | 18 (23.7) | 2.91 (.84) |
| More training/attention in residency to geriatric mental health | 6 (7.9) | 20 (26.3) | 35 (46.1) | 15 (19.7) | 2.78 (.86) |
| CME conferences about geriatric depression | 7 (9.2) | 26 (34.2) | 32 (42.1) | 11 (14.5) | 2.62 (.85) |
| More support staff in the office | 6 (7.9) | 33 (43.4) | 25 (32.9) | 12 (15.8) | 2.57 (.85) |
| Better relationship with referral colleagues | 10 (13.2) | 28 (36.8) | 24 (31.6) | 14 (18.4) | 2.55 (.94) |
| More self-assessment tools about depression | 11 (14.5) | 24 (31.6) | 34 (44.7) | 7 (9.2) | 2.49 (.86) |
| More training/attention in under-graduate to geriatric mental health | 14 (18.4) | 21 (27.6) | 31 (40.8) | 10 (13.2) | 2.49 (.95) |
| More review articles/pamphlets about depression | 10 (13.2) | 32 (42.1) | 26 (34.2) | 8 (10.5) | 2.42 (.85) |
| Access to on-line web site information | 13 (17.1) | 25 (32.9) | 32 (42.1) | 6 (7.9) | 2.41 (.87) |
| Depression telephone hotline/consulting service | 18 (23.7) | 36 (47.4) | 17 (22.4) | 5 (6.6) | 2.12 (.85) |
†
Not at all helpful = 1; possibly helpful = 2; helpful = 3; very helpful = 4.