Pharmacological Treatment of Depression in Older Primary Care Patients: the PROSPECT Algorithm

PROSPECT (Prevention of Suicide in Primary Care Elderly-Collaborative Trial) is testing whether a trained clinician can work in close collaboration with a primary care physician to implement a comprehensive depression mangement program & improve outcomes in older depressed patients. An algorithm guiding the selection & use of antidepressant medications has been developed to assist PROSPECT health specialists. This algorithm is presented & the rationale underlying the proposed treatment sequence is discussed. (47 refs)