Detection of anxiety and depression by surgeons and significant others in females attending a breast clinic.

Payne, Sheila and Endall, Melica (1998) Detection of anxiety and depression by surgeons and significant others in females attending a breast clinic. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2 (1). pp. 4-11. ISSN 1462-3889

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Abstract

This study examined the ability of surgeons and significant others to evaluate psychological distress in patients attending a breast clinic. Ratings of anxiety and depression were obtained from 164 patients, 51 accompanying significant others and 9 surgeons. Interviews were conducted with participating surgeons to assess how they recognized psychological distress in their patients. Forty-four (26.8%) patients were anxious, and only 5 (3%) depressed. Analysis demonstrated a significant tendency of surgeons to underestimate. Anxiety ratings from the significant others were significantly associated with patient's self-ratings. Significant others appeared a better source of proxy data than surgeons. Content analysis of the surgeon's interviews suggested that time constraints forced a reliance on behavioural cues to identify psychological distress. It was concluded that surgeons may facilitate patient care by lowering their threshold for attributing such cues to psychological distress.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
European Journal of Oncology Nursing
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2900/2917
Subjects:
?? oncology(nursing)r medicine (general) ??
ID Code:
32441
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
25 Mar 2010 14:47
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
28 Nov 2023 10:45