A Patient Opinion Survey to Identify Perceived Barriers to the Introduction of a Screening Program for Depression in a Hemodialysis Population

Patient-related barriers may reduce the effectiveness of screening for depression. This study aimed to explore perceived barriers to participation in a Screening Program for Depression by hemodialysis patients. In a cross-sectional study of hemodialysis patients, the Perceived Barriers to Psychological Treatment questionnaire was used to measure barriers to the Screening Program. Of 160 participants, 73.1% perceived at least one barrier (95% CI, 66.2% to 80.0%). The most common barriers were concerns about the side effects of antidepressant medications (40%), concerns about having more medications (32%), feeling that the problem is not severe enough (23%), and perceiving no risk of depression (23%). A high depression score was an independent predictor of barriers related to perceiving no benefit of the Screening Program and psychological, social, and practical barriers. We believe that patient-related barriers need to be addressed before implementing any case identification and treatment program for depression.MAS