The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70675

Robert James Rydman, PhD¹, Marjory Lewe-Brady, MSW², Lana Peters, PhD², David Christiansen, MBA², and Rebecca Roberts, MD³. (1) Department of Emergency Medicine, Cook County Hospital/Rush University, 1900 W. Polk St. 10th floor, Chicago, IL 60612, 312-996-8010, rjrydman@uic.edu, (2) Dupage County Health Department, 111 N County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60185, (3) Department of Emergency Medicine, Stroger Hospital of Cook County, 1900 West Polk, 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60612

A multidimensional outcome evaluation for a public/private consortium of mental health agencies and physician practices targeting untreated depression was conducted following the first year of operation. Outcomes included: symptom reduction (BSI-18), quality of life (SF-8), client satisfaction, and the relationship of geographic social risk of client residences to actual client clinical presentation at baseline. We conducted a longitudinal evaluation and pairwise comparison of client outcomes at 3, 6, and 9 months following initiation of treatment versus baseline. At 12 months following program initiation, 187 clients were being served with 71.5% (n=128) coming from high social risk residential areas. Clients coming from high social risk areas were more likely to have worse symptoms and quality of life scores than those from lower social risk areas. 87% of clients had a DSM4 diagnosis of recurrent or single episode depression, the balance had post partum depression or unipolar mood disorders. Change data at 3, 6, and 9 months revealed statistically significant reduction in symptomatology and improved quality of life using clients as their own controls. The consortium has demonstrated success at: targeting priority populations, serving geographic areas at high risk, and changing the clinical outlook for clients experiencing depression.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn implementation and results of a multidimensional outcome continuous quality assurance program for formative and summative evaluation of a multiagency consortium of public and private mental health agencies and physician practices.

Keywords: Mental Health System, Public/Private Partnerships

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Independent Contractor - Project Evaluator