272434 Impact of patient-provider communication on adequacy of depression treatment for women in the US

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM

Abiola Keller, PA-C, MPAS, MPH , Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Ron Gangnon, PhD , Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Whitney P. Witt, PhD, MPH , Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Background: Many women with depression are untreated or undertreated for their condition. The quality of patient-provider communication may impact the receipt of depression treatment. We examine the relationship between patient-provider communication and receipt of adequate treatment for depression among women. Methods: The sample consisted of women with depression who visited a provider in the previous 12 months in the 2002-08 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (N=3,179). Multivariate regression was used to examine the independent contribution of sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare factors, respondent language, and patient-provider communication measures from the Consumer Assessment of Health Plan Survey on depression treatment status (none, some, adequate). Results: Over one-third of women with depression in the U.S. did not receive adequate treatment. Women reporting that providers usually or always listened carefully were more likely to receive adequate treatment (OR=1.56, 95% CI 1.07, 2.25 and OR=1.61, 95% CI 1.11, 2.34, respectively). Non-English speaking women were 50% less likely to receive adequate treatment (OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.30, 0.80). Having a usual source of care was associated with an increased likelihood of receiving some and adequate treatment (OR=1.73, 95% CI 1.16, 2.56 and OR=2.05, 95% CI 1.47, 2.85, respectively). Conclusion: Effective provider listening behaviors may help increase the number of U.S. women with depression who receive adequate treatment. Efforts to improve language access for Limited English Proficient women are likely critical for improving treatment outcomes in this population. Additionally, ensuring that depressed women have consistent access to healthcare services is important for obtaining adequate depression care.

Learning Areas:
Provision of health care to the public
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the patient-provider communication behaviors associated with receipt of adequate treatment for depression among women in the U.S. 2. List the sociodemographic factors associated with receipt of adequate treatment for depression among women in the U.S.

Keywords: Depression, Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My research interests focus on better understanding the social factors that contribute to disparities in mental health outcomes. I conducted the research described in the abstract as a doctoral candidate in the Department of Population Health Sciences in the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.