The objective of this pilot survey is to assess the degree to which primary care practitioners in outpatient health and mental health settings are identifying, assessing and treating patients for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), using as a model, the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, Practice Guidelines for Depression. The survey subjects were community health centers(CHCs), community mental health centers (CMHCs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) which are safety net providers of health and mental health services designed to end disparities in health care, for populations with special health care needs. A contrasting group of primary care physicians (PCPs) in private practice were also surveyed. A questionnaire was piloted for this survey, incorporated depression practice guideline elements of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, follow up at phases of depression, and referrals to mental health practitioners. All subjects were asked an open-ended question about changes in mental health services due to managed care. The response rate to the survey was 88%. The results showed that when safety net providers and physicians in private practice are compared in their rate of assessing, diagnosing and treating MDD, most practitioners assessed for MDD, and more PCPs than safety net providers referred patients to mental health providers. CHCs did not frequently identify symptoms significant to the diagnosis of MDD in their patients, nor did they employ therapies associated with treatment for MDD. Implications for primary care practitioner training in mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will recognize the need for primary health care service safety net providers to develop assessment, treatment and follow up services for their consumers and better identify those consumers with major depressive disorders
Keywords: Depression, Primary Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Agency for Health Care Quality (Practice Guidelines for Depresson)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.