Introduction: Undetected or late detection of depression leads to a prolonged treatment and higher costs of treatment. It affects a person holistically because it limits his opportunities regarding daily functioning. Thus, it is important that nurses are educated for early detection and treatment of depression in the community, and that they have tools available that enable them easier detection of depression. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to present the meaning of early detection and treatment of patients in the community and to present the newest and the most useful tools for detection of depression. Methods: The descriptive method of work was used. Professional and scientific literature in the fields of depression, nursing, health education, and mental health was searched in the CINAHL databases, PubMed, Cochrane collaboration, while domestic literature was searched through the COBISS.SI search engine. We reviewed and analysed literature published from 2001 to 2017. Results: The review of the literature included 15 studies, which dealt with the detection, treatment, and the use of tools and educational programs for the empowerment of nurses for their easier detection of depression. It was established that with additional education (7 studies), the use of the appropriate screening tools (8 studies) for detection of depression we positively influence the detection and the outcome of depression. Discussion and conclusion: The analysis of the reviewed literature showed that additional education and introduction of new tools for detection and treatment of the patients for depression, which we can implement in the community, positively effects the early detection and treatment of the patients with depression. It is important that nurses meet with certain guidelines already at the time of studying because it helps them with an easier transition to the occupation they are going to perform. At the same time, it is important that nurses work in the interdisciplinary team because they are the first and the ones, who are in the most frequent contact with the patient. It is up to them if they recognize depression and how will they handle it.
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