Late life depression (LLD) in hospitalized older adults is associated with poor outcomes. Unfortunately, LLD is often unrecognized by health care providers because of inadequate knowledge and unfavorable attitudes. The purpose of the current study was to measure the effectiveness of LLD education on acute care nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and screening and referral practices. A one-group pre-/post-test design was used. Data were collected using the Late Life Depression Quiz, Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire, and closed and open-ended practice questions. Forty nurses attended a 15-minute presentation on LLD and the 5-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Nurses were educated to screen adults aged ≥65 years for depression and refer those who screened positive to a social worker. There was a significant increase between pre- and posttest knowledge and attitude scores (
p
< 0.001). Screening increased significantly (
p
= 0.006) post-intervention, but no difference was noted in referrals to social workers. Findings support that a brief educational intervention increased nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward depression and depression screening in hospitalized older adults. [
Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48
(12), 43–51.]
We dedicate this book to our husbands and children who have supported us throughout this endeavor. We always have and always will cherish the love you have shown us.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.