Oncology staff recognition of depressive symptoms on videotaped interviews of depressed cancer patients: implications for designing a training program

We examined oncologists' and nurses' ability to recognize depressive symptoms in two cancer patients who were interviewed on videotape. The study was conducted in a rural community, hospital-based outreach network. Staff were given a one-hour in-service on the use of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)-a brief diagnostic interview-to provide a differential diagnosis (no psychiatric diagnosis, major depressive disorder, or adjustment disorder with depressed mood). Next, the staff viewed a videotape of an investigator (S.P.) utilizing the MINI to interview two depressed breast cancer patients. Staff subsequently rated depressive symptoms on the MINI and made a diagnosis. Findings indicated a high concordance among staff regarding symptom ratings on a straightforward example of major depressive disorder. Concordance on diagnosis, severity level, and specific symptoms declined slightly on a more difficult case involving primarily cognitive symptoms and a diagnosis of adjustment disorder. Following brief didactic training on depressive disorders, oncologists and nurses were able to identify depressive symptoms in cancer patients on videotape. Learning to use a semistructured interview can increase oncologists' awareness of depressive symptoms and may be a good training model.