Depression: social and economic timebomb. Strategies for quality of care

Based on papers presented at an international meeting organized by WHO in cooperation with the International Federation of Health Funds, Harvard Medical School, and the Sir Robert Mond Memorial Trust, this concise book provides the latest information on the commonest psychiatric condition worldwide: depression. Contributions on the social and economic implications from world class specialists are complemented by clinical chapters on patient management. Contents include:

+ a global view of depression

+ a historical review of diagnosis and treatment

+ depression and general practice

+ depression and the workplace

+ economic and social consequences

+ political and social responses to depression

+ the debate on the new generation of antidepressants.

The debate alone will be of great value to health care providers and decision-makers internationally, as it both discusses the issues clearly and provides an extensive review of the evidence, which is referenced in the text.

Addressing the implications of depression for patients, their families, their physicians and society, this book is an important contribution to the literature, which at the same time provides practical suggestions for management at the primary care level.