Inducing Sustainable Improvement in Depression Care in Primary Care Practices

Authors: Nease, Donald E.; Nutting, Paul A.; Dickinson, W. Perry; Bonham, Aaron J.; Graham, Deborah G.; Gallagher, Kaia M.; Main, Deborah S.

Source: Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 34, Number 5, May 2008 , pp. 247-255(9)

Publisher: Joint Commission Resources

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Abstract:

Background: Improving primary care depression care is costly and challenging to sustain. The feasibility and potential success of a modified improvement collaborative model to create sustained improvements in depression care was assessed.

Methods: Sixteen practices from the American Academy of Family Physicians National Research Network and the American College of Physicians Practice-based Research Network completed a nine-month program. Two practice champions (PCs) from each practice attended three two-day learning sessions, where practice change strategies and key depression care elements were discussed. The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used for screening, diagnosis, surveillance, tracking and care management, and self-management support. Pre- and postintervention depression care survey data were gathered from all practice clinicians, and qualitative data were collected via interviews with PCs and field notes from learning sessions.

Results: On the basis of PC reports at nine months, 16 practices had implemented the PHQ-9 for depression case-finding and 13 for monitoring severity; 5 practices had implemented tracking and care management and 1, self-management support. At the 15-month follow-up, nearly all changes had been sustained, and additional practices had implemented tracking/care management and self-management support. Significant pre-post improvements were reported on several subscales of the clinician survey, demonstrating substantial diffusion from the PC to other clinicians in the practice.

Discussion: The program led to measurable improvements in implementation of office procedures and systems known to improve depression care. The improvements were both sustained beyond the end of the program and substantially diffused to the other clinicians in the practice.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2008-05-01

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Published monthly, The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to providing health professionals with the information they need to promote the quality and safety of health care. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety invites original manuscripts on the development, adaptation, and/or implementation of innovative thinking, strategies, and practices in improving quality and safety in health care. Case studies, program or project reports, reports of new methodologies or new applications of methodologies, research studies on the effectiveness of improvement interventions, and commentaries on issues and practices are all considered.

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Inducing Sustainable Improvement in Depression Care in Primary Care Practices

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