Leader: Dr Ciaran Pier

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Clayton Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit covers the recognition and classification of depression. It describes the course of depression and its effects on the patient, the family and the community. It discusses at some length depression in special settings including adolescence, the post natal period and the elderly. The management of depression, including both drug therapy and non-drug therapy is covered.

Objectives

On completion of this program participating general practitioners will have:

1. Examined their own knowledge of and attitudes to the diagnosis and management of depression and other mood disorders (mania; mixed anxiety/depression);
2. Explored their own practices in detecting depression in clinical practice;
3. Recognised the prevalence of depression presenting in isolation as well as occurring in association with other physical and psychological illnesses';
4. Appreciated the diagnostic processes required in the course of a consultation to differentiate depression from other psychiatric illnesses;
5. Identified and evaluated the place of various forms of psychometric testing as an aid to diagnosis and management;
6. Acquired skills in the management of patients with depression and mania in a variety of clinical settings and age groups involving both non drug and drug therapies; and
7. Evaluated the impact of this program in changing knowledge and attitudes related to depression, as well as observed practices as assessed by serial questionnaires and audits.

Assessment

Essay (100%), Journal (P/F)