Challenges in Managing Depression in Clinical Practice: Result of a Global Survey
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Despite an improved knowledgebase, effective intervention, and guidelines, many patients with depression do not receive adequate treatment and treatment discontinuation and non-response are common. It was intended to explore the challenges clinicians face wh...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Pharmacoepidemiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0618/4/1/5 |
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| author | Nilamadhab Kar |
| author_facet | Nilamadhab Kar |
| author_sort | Nilamadhab Kar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Despite an improved knowledgebase, effective intervention, and guidelines, many patients with depression do not receive adequate treatment and treatment discontinuation and non-response are common. It was intended to explore the challenges clinicians face while managing depression in their clinical practice and their suggestions for solutions. <b>Methods</b>: It was an online survey of 137 psychiatrists in 18 countries including both high and low economies, using a pre-designed questionnaire; with both quantitative and qualitative measures. <b>Results</b>: Antidepressant prescribing appeared close to the evidence-based guidelines. There was frequent use of other medications alongside antidepressants since treatment initiation. There were many challenges in managing depression, such as treatment non-response, resistance, and discontinuation; side effects, mostly sexual problems; inadequate psychological intervention; availability and affordability of treatment modalities; comorbidities, especially substance use and personality disorders; stigma; and lack of education and training. Suggested approaches for solutions included personalized treatment, quicker follow-up, psychoeducation, blending psychological intervention into routine clinical practice, improving continuity of care, and preventing treatment discontinuation. Support from governments for improving access, making interventions affordable, and providing socio-occupational support is essential. Training and development of professionals, public education providing information, and dealing with stigma are still relevant. <b>Conclusions</b>: The results indicated a need for reviewing current practices in managing depression, optimizing it with available resources, and preventing treatment discontinuation, and non-response. Making treatment available and affordable, public education fighting stigma to improve treatment acceptability, and research addressing gaps in interventions, especially for treatment resistance and psychotherapy are other approaches that may improve depression management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7612b73a23e24164a46abb74d83bb13d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2813-0618 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmacoepidemiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7612b73a23e24164a46abb74d83bb13d2025-08-20T01:48:45ZengMDPI AGPharmacoepidemiology2813-06182025-02-0141510.3390/pharma4010005Challenges in Managing Depression in Clinical Practice: Result of a Global SurveyNilamadhab Kar0Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Wolverhampton WV10 9TH, UK<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Despite an improved knowledgebase, effective intervention, and guidelines, many patients with depression do not receive adequate treatment and treatment discontinuation and non-response are common. It was intended to explore the challenges clinicians face while managing depression in their clinical practice and their suggestions for solutions. <b>Methods</b>: It was an online survey of 137 psychiatrists in 18 countries including both high and low economies, using a pre-designed questionnaire; with both quantitative and qualitative measures. <b>Results</b>: Antidepressant prescribing appeared close to the evidence-based guidelines. There was frequent use of other medications alongside antidepressants since treatment initiation. There were many challenges in managing depression, such as treatment non-response, resistance, and discontinuation; side effects, mostly sexual problems; inadequate psychological intervention; availability and affordability of treatment modalities; comorbidities, especially substance use and personality disorders; stigma; and lack of education and training. Suggested approaches for solutions included personalized treatment, quicker follow-up, psychoeducation, blending psychological intervention into routine clinical practice, improving continuity of care, and preventing treatment discontinuation. Support from governments for improving access, making interventions affordable, and providing socio-occupational support is essential. Training and development of professionals, public education providing information, and dealing with stigma are still relevant. <b>Conclusions</b>: The results indicated a need for reviewing current practices in managing depression, optimizing it with available resources, and preventing treatment discontinuation, and non-response. Making treatment available and affordable, public education fighting stigma to improve treatment acceptability, and research addressing gaps in interventions, especially for treatment resistance and psychotherapy are other approaches that may improve depression management.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0618/4/1/5antidepressantsbipolar depressiondepressionmedication non-adherencepsychiatryside effects |
| spellingShingle | Nilamadhab Kar Challenges in Managing Depression in Clinical Practice: Result of a Global Survey Pharmacoepidemiology antidepressants bipolar depression depression medication non-adherence psychiatry side effects |
| title | Challenges in Managing Depression in Clinical Practice: Result of a Global Survey |
| title_full | Challenges in Managing Depression in Clinical Practice: Result of a Global Survey |
| title_fullStr | Challenges in Managing Depression in Clinical Practice: Result of a Global Survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Challenges in Managing Depression in Clinical Practice: Result of a Global Survey |
| title_short | Challenges in Managing Depression in Clinical Practice: Result of a Global Survey |
| title_sort | challenges in managing depression in clinical practice result of a global survey |
| topic | antidepressants bipolar depression depression medication non-adherence psychiatry side effects |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0618/4/1/5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nilamadhabkar challengesinmanagingdepressioninclinicalpracticeresultofaglobalsurvey |