RESUMO
This study was designed assess the validity of depression scale in a sample of 115 general medical inpatients of a teaching hospital. The initial interview was conducted by medical students using the depression scale; this was followed by second stage semi-structured diagnostic interview by a psychiatrist. Standard validity coefficients of the scales detection of DSM-III-R major depressive episode were measured. The depression scale had a sensitivity of 83% with a specificity of 72%. Depression scale raised the physicians, level of detection of depressive episode from 44% to 100%. It is concluded that use of the scale substantially improved detection of depression in patients admitted in a general medical ward. The scale was also useful in facilitating teaching of medical students