Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2001
ReviewDepression in palliative care: a pragmatic report from the Expert Working Group of the European Association for Palliative Care.
Our objective in this study was to summarize the relevant knowledge on depression in palliative care and to provide a framework for clinical, scientific and educational efforts at improving its management. The Research Steering Committee (RSC) of the European Association of Palliative Care (EAPC) established an Expert Working Group (EWG) to address the issue of depression in palliative care. Each invited expert was allocated a specific topic and was asked to review the literature. ⋯ Underdetection and undertreatment of depression is a serious problem in palliative care. Training of the nonpsychiatric staff should therefore have the highest priority. A proactive, flexible and comprehensive strategy embracing clinical, scientific, and educational aspects is advocated.