Attitudes towards depression among non-psychiatric physicians in four tertiary centres in Riyadh

Abstract

Depression is a common mental illness that has a profound impact on an estimated number of 300 million people worldwide. Depression is stigmatised in communities and even physicians, especially, non-psychiatric physicians, which affects depressed patients’ care. This study aims to investigate non-psychiatric physicians’ attitudes towards depression in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study surveyed 380 participants using Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire. Non-psychiatric physicians in Riyadh are optimistic and have a positive perspective towards depression. Yet, the majority preferred dealing with physical rather than mental illness. Understanding the attitudes of medical practitioners is important to shape service delivery and assess training needs.