Survey study, 2001
Do gynecologists feel as responsible for treating depression as they do for treating severe PMS?
No. Gynecologists reported different attitudes toward PMDD compared with major depressive disorder, and many did not see treating depression as their job in the same way.
What they did
Researchers mailed a questionnaire to 997 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists about their attitudes toward diagnosing and treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). About 36% were completed and returned. They compared attitudes by age, gender, and whether the doctor saw themselves as a primary care provider.
What they found
Attitudes toward PMDD were different from attitudes toward MDD. Roughly one in three respondents disagreed with statements about feeling responsible for and confident in treating MDD, but not PMDD. About 41% of doctors who did not see themselves as primary care providers disagreed that treating depression is their responsibility as a gynecologist, compared with 14.8% of those who did see themselves as primary care providers. Younger doctors, women doctors, and those who saw themselves as primary care providers tended to have attitudes more supportive of diagnosing and treating both conditions.
What it means for you
Gynecologists may feel less confident or responsible treating depression than treating PMDD, which could mean some women with depression do not get treated for it in gynecology settings. This was a survey with a low response rate (about 36%), so it may not reflect the views of all gynecologists.
997
gynecologists surveyed
36%
response rate
41% vs 14.8%
non-primary vs primary care doctors who disagreed depression treatment is their job
About the study
- Original title
- Obstetrician-gynecologists' attitudes towards premenstrual dysphoric disorder and major depressive disorder
- Authors
- Hill LD, Greenberg BD, Holzman GB et al.
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- No treatment tested; this was a survey of doctors' attitudes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3109/01674820109049979
Topics
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