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Depressive symptoms are common in later life and increase both the risk of functional and cognitive decline and the use of healthcare services. Despite older people expressing preferences for talking therapies, they are less likely to be referred than younger adults, particularly when aged ≥80 years.

To explore how healthcare professionals (HCPs) manage older people in relation to depression and referrals to psychological therapies.

Systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Social Sciences Citation Index (inception–March 2018) were searched for studies exploring HCPs’ views regarding management of late-life depression across all settings. Studies of older people’s views or depression management across all ages were excluded.

In total, 27 studies, were included; these predominantly …