Physicians’ suggested treatment plans for GAD and MDE clinical-scenario patients
| TREATMENT PLAN | GAD CLINICAL SCENARIO (N = 160), N (%) | MDE CLINICAL SCENARIO (N = 171), N (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate* | ||
| • Pharmacotherapy alone | 42 (26.3) | 22 (12.9) |
| • Counseling† alone | 6 (3.8) | 12 (7.0) |
| • Pharmacotherapy and counseling | 40 (25.0) | 27 (15.8) |
| • Pharmacotherapy or counseling plus other‡ | 14 (8.8) | 18 (10.5) |
| • Other alone | 3 (1.9) | 16 (9.4) |
| • Total immediate | 105 (65.6) | 95 (55.6) |
| Delayed | ||
| • Pharmacotherapy alone | 12 (7.5) | 7 (4.1) |
| • Counseling† alone | 3 (1.9) | 1 (0.6) |
| • Pharmacotherapy and counseling | 3 (1.9) | 6 (3.5) |
| • Pharmacotherapy or counseling plus other‡ | 2 (1.3) | 3 (1.8) |
| • Other alone | 0 | 1 (0.5) |
| • Await results before deciding | 25 (15.6) | 41 (24.0) |
| • Total delayed | 45 (28.1) | 59 (34.5) |
| No treatment | 3 (1.9) | 2 (7.0) |
| No response | 7 (4.4) | 5 (2.9) |
GAD—generalized anxiety disorder, MDE—major depressive episode.
↵* Statements considered indicative of “immediate” treatment included those that did not refer to delaying treatment, delaying a decision regarding treatment, or awaiting laboratory results.
↵† Included counseling by a family physician and referral for counseling.
↵‡ Treatment or action other than pharmacotherapy and counseling, such as breathing techniques, reassurance, education, and recommendations of more sun, dietary changes, exercise, diary writing, books to read, meditation, sleep, rest, stress reduction, and sick leave.