Beyond the medical file: a scoping review on patients’ perspectives on guideline-oriented depression treatment in primary care

Abstract

ObjectivesDepressive disorders are common in the primary care setting. Primary care practitioners must deal with different disorders and keep up with evidence-based treatment. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) offer accessible information about up-to-date care but are poorly implemented. Research on the implementation of CPGs has focused on the practitioners’ perspective but has neglected the patients’ perspective largely.This scoping review aimed to identify terms related to the concept of ‘patients’ perspectives on depression treatment in primary care building a comprehensive framework and to identify researched barriers and facilitators to partaking in care.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review on Medline and Psycinfo. Eligible publications contained information from the patients’ point of view on depression treatment in primary care in OECD member states. We used the PCC-framework to obtain inclusion criteria. Publications until August 2nd 2023 were considered.ResultsWe included 232 publications. Current literature focuses on behavioral and easily collected measures like satisfaction and on patient-sided barriers and facilitators to adherence. Other treatment-related behaviors are less researched. Patients often report exclusively or mainly physical symptoms in their visits which can impede diagnosis.ConclusionThis review provides a comprehensive framework for the concept. Research on the patients’ perspective on depression treatment in primary care is still inconclusive.RegistrationThis review is registered via OSF (https://osf.io/p9rnc).