OBJECTIVES: To understand the process, outcomes, and patient satisfaction of usual primary care for patients given a diagnostic code for depression. STUDY DESIGN: Health plan data were used to identify patients with a diagnostic code for depression (and no such diagnosis in the preceding 6 months). Patients were surveyed by mail soon after the coded visit and again 3 months later about the care they had received; their charts were also audited. METHODS: The 274 patients in 9 primary care clinics who responded to both surveys reported on their personal characteristics, depression symptoms and history, the care received in that initial visit, and the follow-up care during the next 3 months. They also reported on their satisfaction with various aspects of that care. RESULTS: These patients were likely to be given antidepressant medications as their main or only treatment. Referral for mental health therapies was not used often, even though referral is readily available in this setting; other types of self-management recommendations and support were even less frequent. Patient outcomes and levels of satisfaction during a 3-month follow-up period were unimpressive. CONCLUSIONS: To successfully maintain a key role in the care of this important problem for their patients, primary care physicians may need to incorporate a more comprehensive and systematic approach to management that involves other team members and is more satisfying to patients.
OBJECTIVES: To understand the process, outcomes, and patient satisfaction of usual primary care for patients given a diagnostic code for depression. STUDY DESIGN: Health plan data were used to identify patients with a diagnostic code for depression (and no such diagnosis in the preceding 6 months). Patients were surveyed by mail soon after the coded visit and again 3 months later about the care they had received; their charts were also audited. METHODS: The 274 patients in 9 primary care clinics who responded to both surveys reported on their personal characteristics, depression symptoms and history, the care received in that initial visit, and the follow-up care during the next 3 months. They also reported on their satisfaction with various aspects of that care. RESULTS: These patients were likely to be given antidepressant medications as their main or only treatment. Referral for mental health therapies was not used often, even though referral is readily available in this setting; other types of self-management recommendations and support were even less frequent. Patient outcomes and levels of satisfaction during a 3-month follow-up period were unimpressive. CONCLUSIONS: To successfully maintain a key role in the care of this important problem for their patients, primary care physicians may need to incorporate a more comprehensive and systematic approach to management that involves other team members and is more satisfying to patients.
Authors: Rebecca C Rossom; Leif I Solberg; Gabriela Vazquez-Benitez; Robin R Whitebird; A Lauren Crain; Arne Beck; Jürgen Unützer Journal: Psychiatr Serv Date: 2016-07-15 Impact factor: 3.084
Authors: Leif I Solberg; A Lauren Crain; JoAnn M Sperl-Hillen; Mary C Hroscikoski; Karen I Engebretson; Patrick J O'Connor Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2006 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Karen L Margolis; Leif I Solberg; A Lauren Crain; Robin R Whitebird; Kristin A Ohnsorg; Nancy Jaeckels; Gary Oftedahl; Russell E Glasgow Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2011-05-20 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Steve Lauriks; Marcel Ca Buster; Matty As de Wit; Onyebuchi A Arah; Niek S Klazinga Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-03-20 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Rebecca Strawbridge; Paul McCrone; Andrea Ulrichsen; Roland Zahn; Jonas Eberhard; Danuta Wasserman; Paolo Brambilla; Giandomenico Schiena; Ulrich Hegerl; Judit Balazs; Jose Caldas de Almeida; Ana Antunes; Spyridon Baltzis; Vladimir Carli; Vinciane Quoidbach; Patrice Boyer; Allan H Young Journal: Eur Psychiatry Date: 2022-06-15 Impact factor: 7.156