Patients’ perspectives on the use of the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale self-assessment version in primary care

AbstractObjective: The aim of the current study was to better understand how patients with depression perceive the use of MADRS-S in primary care consultations with GPs.Design: Qualitative study. Focus group discussion and analysis through Systematic Text Condensation.Setting: Primary Health Care, Region Vastra Gotaland, Sweden.Subjects: Nine patients with mild/moderate depression who participated in a RCT evaluating the effects of regular use of the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Self-assessment scale (MADRS-S) during the GP consultations.Main Outcome measure: Patients’ experiences and perceptions of the use of MADRS-S in primary care.Results: Three categories emerged from the analysis: (I) confirmation; MADRS-S shows that I have depression and how serious it is, (II) centeredness; the most important thing is for the GP to listen to and take me seriously and (III) clarification; MADRS-S helps me understand why I need treatment for depression.Conclusion: Use of MADRS-S was perceived as a confirmation for th...