Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the precision of two different methods in detecting clinical depression in tumor patients: the use of a screening questionnaire versus the assessment by health care providers (nurses and doctors).
Methods: During their first days of inpatient cancer treatment, tumor patients were interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID). Their physicians and nurses were asked to assess the mental health of the patients and their need for professional psychosocial support. Additionally, every patient completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
Results: Out of 329 patients, 28 were diagnosed with either a major or a minor depression according to the SCID. Physicians assessed 15 of the depressed patients as being depressed (sensitivity, 0.54; specificity, 0.38). Nurses identified 19 (sensitivity, 0.68; specificity, 0.45) and the HADS 27 (sensitivity, 0.96; specificity, 0.50) of the depressed patients.
Conclusion: The HADS performed well in detecting depressed cancer patients in acute oncological care, whereas physicians and nurses often were unable to recognize depressed patients.