Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Graduate mental health worker case management of depression in UK primary care: A pilot study

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Hamish McAllister-WilliamsORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

Background: Based on data from large multicentre US trials, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is advocating a stepped-care model for the management of depression, with 'case management' or 'collaborative care' for selected patients in primary care. Aim: To conduct a pilot study examining the use of graduate mental health workers case managing depressed primary care NHS patients. Design of study: A randomised controlled trial comparing usual GP care with or without case management over 16 weeks of acute antidepressant drug treatment. Setting: Three primary care practices in the North East of England. Method: Patients with depression, aged 18-65 years, who had failed to adequately respond to antidepressant treatment, were randomised to the two treatments. Assessments were made at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks using a combination observer and self ratings. Results: Randomisation of 62 patients required screening of 1073 potential patients. There was little difference in outcome between the two treatment arms but a gradual improvement in symptoms over time was seen. Client satisfaction was assessed as high across both treatments. Conclusion: While this pilot study confirmed the integrity of the study protocol and the suitability of the outcome measures and randomisation procedure, it raises questions regarding the practicality of recruitment and feasibility of the intervention. It would be crucial to address these issues prior to the implementation of a large multi-centre randomised controlled trial. © British Journal of General Practice 2007.


Publication metadata

Author(s): McMahon L, Foran KM, Forrest SD, Taylor ML, Ingram G, Rajwal M, Cornwall PL, McAllister-Williams RH

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: British Journal of General Practice

Year: 2007

Volume: 57

Issue: 544

Pages: 880-885

Print publication date: 01/11/2007

ISSN (print): 0960-1643

ISSN (electronic): 1478-5242

Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3399/096016407782317847

DOI: 10.3399/096016407782317847

PubMed id: 17976288


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share