Abstract
Effectiveness of an Intervention to Improve Primary Care Provider Recognition of Depression
Dobscha S K~~Gerrity M S~~Ward M R
A before-after study was used to determine whether limited follow-up of positive findings on depression screening improves recognition & initial management of depression. Consecutive patients in a Veterans Affairs primary care clinic in Oregon were studied, including 160 in the 3 months before & 97 in the 3 months after the intervention began. The mental health nurse received questionnaires for only 39 post-intervention patients. Documentation of depressive symptoms & suicide ideation significantly improved in the postintervention group compared with the preintervention group. Postintervention patients were also more likely to begin receiving antidepressants & to be referred for mental health services. (14 refs.)