TORONTO, Oct 2, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Less than half of men and women in the
Canadian province of Ontario suffering from depression see a doctor, researchers
said.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative
Sciences also found many hospitalized for severe depression fail to see a doctor
for follow-up care within 30 days of being discharged, and many head to hospital
emergency departments for care.
The findings suggest the need for a comprehensive care model involving a
multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including family doctors and
mental health specialists, to help people better manage depression and improve
their quality of life, researchers said.
"Many Ontarians with depression are not treated for their condition and those
who are often receive less than desired care," Dr. Arlene Bierman, a physician
at St. Michael's Hospital and principal investigator of the study, said in a
statement.
The study said 17 percent of the patients visited a hospital emergency room
within 30 days of discharge from hospital, while about 8 percent were readmitted
to hospital.
In addition, the study said many older adults who started on antidepressants did
not receive the recommended number of follow-up visits to manage their
condition.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International