Background: The predictD study developed and validated a risk algorithm for predicting the onset of major depression in
primary care. We aimed to explore the opinion of patients about knowing their risk for depression and the values and
criteria upon which these opinions are based.
Methods: A maximum variation sample of patients was taken, stratified by city, age, gender, immigrant status, socioeconomic status and lifetime depression. The study participants were 52 patients belonging to 13 urban health centres in
seven different cities around Spain. Seven Focus Groups (FGs) were given held with primary care patients, one for each of
the seven participating cities.
Results: The results showed that patients generally welcomed knowing their risk for depression. Furthermore, in light of
available evidence several patients proposed potential changes in their lifestyles to prevent depression. Patients generally
preferred to ask their General Practitioners (GPs) for advice, though mental health specialists were also mentioned. They
suggested that GPs undertake interventions tailored to each patient, from a ‘‘patient-centred’’ approach, with certain
communication skills, and giving advice to help patients cope with the knowledge that they are at risk of becoming
depressed.
Conclusions: Patients are pleased to be informed about their risk for depression. We detected certain beliefs, attitudes,
values, expectations and behaviour among the patients that were potentially useful for future primary prevention
programmes on depression.Junta de Andalucía 2008/0195Gobierno Vasco 2008/111021Spanish Network of Primary Care Research (redIAPP) RD06/0018Salud Mental, Servicios y Atención Primaria (SAMSERAP
