Background
Depression is a common illness often underdetected in general
practice. Underdetection is more common in male patients
compared with females. General practitioner gender and difficulties
in communicating with male patients may play a role. This study
aimed to determine if GPs found depression harder to diagnose in
male patients compared with female patients, identify difficulties in
diagnosis, and identify any GP gender differences in the diagnostic
process.
Discussion
Most GPs found diagnosing depression in men difficult, particularly
female GPs. There is a need for GPs to communicate more effectively
with male patients to improve the diagnosis of depression.
Results
Most respondents (64%) reported that diagnosing depression in men
was harder compared with women, 73% of female GPs compared with
58% of males (p=<0.005). Communication issues and infrequent surgery
attendance by male patients were cited as the main difficulties.
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