(Open access funding provided by University of Debrecen)
Suicides are often related to depression. General medical practices (GMPs) should
play a role in screening depression. We aimed to test the screening algorithm of Rihmer
and Torzsa for depression and suicide and determine the prevalence and number of patients
in the nationwide representative Hungarostudy 2002 population, and to estimate the
corresponding extra health care need in an average GMP and in the Hungarian population
in addition to patients who are already cared for by specialized care. The short version
of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and the Hungarian version of the short form of
the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-9) were used to screen for suicide risk and depression.
The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and depression was determined and findings were
extrapolated to an average GMP of 1,600 adults and to the population over 25 years
of age. This screening would generate a considerable extra psychiatric care to organize
and implement in an average GMP and throughout the country. Our findings show that
with easily administered screening instruments a significant number of patients likely
to have depression can be identified at the primary care level, arguing for the establishment
of the extra psychiatric care capacity in Hungary.
