Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescent Students in Greek High Schools.

Depressive symptoms in adolescence have been a subject of considerable controversy in terms of their nature, severity and identification. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the presence of depressive symptoms in Greek adolescent high school students and to explore the relationship between depressive symptoms and sociodemographic characteristics. For that purpose, a cross-sectional study design was conducted in two public schools in Megalopolis, Greece, from April 2012 to July 2012, using a self-administered questionnaire based on DSM-IV.

Prevalence and sociodemographic associations of common mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of the general population of Greece.

Background: No study in Greece has assessed so far the full range of common mental disorders using a representative sample of the population from both mainland and insular regions of the country. The aim of the present paper was to present the results of the first such study.

Methods: The study was carried out between 2009-2010 in a nationally representative sample of 4894 individuals living in private households in Greece.

Measuring the burden of herpes zoster and post herpetic neuralgia within primary care in rural Crete, Greece.

Background: Research has indicated that general practitioners (GPs) have good clinical judgment in regards to diagnosing and managing herpes zoster (HZ) within clinical practice in a country with limited resources for primary care and general practice. The objective of the current study was to assess the burden of HZ and post herpetic neuralgia (PHN) within rural general practices in Crete, Greece.

Methods: The current study took place within a rural setting in Crete, Greece during the period of November 2007 to November 2009 within the catchment area in which the Cretan Rural Practice-based Research Network is operating.

Economic crisis and challenges for the Greek healthcare system: the emergent role of nursing management.

Background: Despite several reform efforts, the Greek health care system still faces problems related to misdistribution of trained health staff and finance between geographical areas.

Aim: The objectives of the present study were to describe the current situation of the delivery of the healthcare service in Greece, to explore the basic implications of the economic crisis from a nursing management perspective and to examine future practices opening a debate in policy developments.

Key Issue: The principal finding of this study was the serious shortage of trained nurses, the imbalances in nursing personnel, an excess of doctors and the complete absence of a Primary Healthcare System in civil areas provided by general doctors.

The Short Anxiety Screening Test in Greek: translation and validation.

Background: The aim of the current study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Greek translation of the Short Anxiety Screening Test (SAST), for use in primary care settings. The scale consists of 10 items and is a brief clinician rating scale for the detection of anxiety disorder in older people, particularly, in the presence of depression.

Methods: The study was performed in two rural primary care settings in Crete.

Can elbow-extension test be used as an alternative to radiographs in primary care?

Objective: To evaluate the ability of elbow extension, with the patient in a supine position, as a diagnostic test of an insignificant injury, with the purpose of avoiding unnecessary radiographs.

Methods: Seventy patients suffering from an acute elbow injury were examined at the accident and emergency department. Inability to fully actively extend the elbow in a supine position was defined as a positive diagnostic test.