Reducing disparities of care in patients with depression - Empowering the primary care physician

Background: Depression is a pervasive disease often mismanaged and undiagnosed in the primary care setting. Setting: Primary care practices across the continental United States Methods: Physician practices were asked to complete baseline data abstraction and practice pattern (attitude/knowledge/beliefs) survey and were then given a feedback report outlining their performance across several outcome and process measures related to depression care. Physicians attended QI coaching conference calls led by experts in practice redesign in relation to depression care and began implementing their practice improvement plans in their clinics. These calls were meant to engage the physicians and prompt them to share their experience. This also afforded the opportunity for peer to peer counseling, offering each other suggestions and worked as a motivator of change for the program. Physicians were able to reach out to the QI expert coaches for individual coaching via phone and email throughout the program. They were also given access to a novel online educational practice improvement toolkit offering evidence based guidelines, practice improvement tools, and resources for their QI work. Physicians are asked to complete monthly progress reports detailing their practice redesign progress including barriers and successes. At the end of the project, physicians will complete another set of chart abstractions and survey. Results: This study is ongoing. Preliminary results will be available at the time of presentation. Conclusion: This study is ongoing.