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How important is intrinsic spirituality in depression care?

A comparison of white and african-american primary care patients

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Abstract

We used a cross-sectional survey to compare the views of African-American and white adult primary care patients (N=76) regarding the importance of various aspects of depression care. Patients were asked to rate the importance of 126 aspects of depression care (derived from attitudinal domains identified in focus groups) on a 5-point Likert scale. The 30 most important items came from 9 domains: 1) health professionals’ interpersonal skills, 2) primary care provider recognition of depression, 3) treatment effectiveness, 4) treatment problems, 5) patient understanding about treatment, 6) intrinsic spirituality, 7) financial access, 8) life experiences, and 9) social support. African-American and white patients rated most aspects of depression care as similarly important, except that the odds of rating spirituality as extremely important for depression care were 3 times higher for African Americans than the odds for whites.

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Correspondence to Lisa A. Cooper MD, MPH.

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This work was partially supported by research grants from The Commonwealth Fund, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the National Institute of Mental Health (U01-MH454443), Dr. Cooper was a Picker/Commonwealth Scholar and a fellow in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Minority Medical Faculty Development Program during the time this work was conducted.

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Cooper, L.A., Brown, C., Vu, H.T. et al. How important is intrinsic spirituality in depression care?. J GEN INTERN MED 16, 634–638 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009634.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009634.x

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