BACKGROUND Depressive symptoms are common in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and are associated with a poorer quality of life and prognosis. Despite the high prevalence and negative consequences, the recognition of depressive symptoms is low. More knowledge about patients' perceptions of how depressive symptoms are addressed by healthcare professionals is therefore needed. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of patients with CVD of how healthcare professionals address and manage depressive symptoms in clinical cardiac care encounters. METHODS A qualitative, semistructured interview study was performed. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS In total, 20 patients with CVD previously treated for depressive symptoms were included (mean age, 62 [range, 34-79] years; 45% women). Three main themes emerged: (1) "not being seen as a whole person," (2) "denying depressive symptoms," and (3) "being provided with help." The patients perceived that healthcare professionals mainly focused on somatic symptoms and disregarded their need for help for depressive symptoms when patients raised the issue. Some patients stated that they received help for depressive symptoms, but this depended on the patients' own ability to communicate their needs and/or having social support that could alert them to the importance of doing so. Patients also described that they downplayed the burden of depressive symptoms and/or did not recognize themselves as having depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION Depressive symptoms were overlooked in patients with CVD, and psychological needs had not been met. A good ability to address needs and having good social support were useful for receiving help with depressive symptoms.

中文翻译：

---

心脏护理中的医疗保健专业人员如何解决抑郁症状：心血管疾病患者的经验。

背景 抑郁症状在心血管疾病 (CVD) 患者中很常见，并且与较差的生活质量和预后相关。尽管高患病率和负面后果，抑郁症状的识别率很低。因此，需要更多地了解患者对医疗保健专业人员如何解决抑郁症状的看法。目的 本研究的目的是探讨 CVD 患者的经验，即医疗保健专业人员如何处理和管理临床心脏病护理中的抑郁症状。方法 进行了定性、半结构化的访谈研究。使用归纳主题分析对数据进行分析。结果 总共纳入了 20 名先前因抑郁症状接受过治疗的 CVD 患者（平均年龄，62 [范围，34-79] 岁；45% 为女性）。出现了三个主要主题：（1）“不被视为一个完整的人”，（2）“否认抑郁症状”和（3）“被提供帮助”。当患者提出问题时，患者认为医疗保健专业人员主要关注躯体症状，而忽略了他们对抑郁症状的帮助需求。一些患者表示他们接受了针对抑郁症状的帮助，但这取决于患者自己表达需求的能力和/或是否有社会支持可以提醒他们这样做的重要性。患者还描述了他们淡化了抑郁症状的负担和/或不承认自己有抑郁症状。结论 CVD患者容易忽视抑郁症状，心理需求未得到满足。