Primary care graduate mental health workers' experience of using an integrated care pathway for the treatment of depression in primary care

Authors: Frazer, Soraya; Hanson, Debbie; Wakefield, Susan

Source: Primary Care Mental Health, Volume 4, Number 4, December 2006 , pp. 255-263(9)

Publisher: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd.

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Abstract:

In 2004 the Department of Health proposed to recruit 1000 new graduates to assist in the treatment of depression and anxiety in primary care. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines provide an indication of what is required but no guidance as to how to deliver their proposals. The introduction of primary care graduate mental health workers (PCGMHWs) to fulfil the Department of Health requirements has proved to be a challenge to existing primary care NHS trusts. At present there is great variability in the way that PCGMHWs work. This article aims to introduce a potential vision of working that PCGMHWs in the south east of Sheffield have pioneered. We propose that integrated care pathways (ICPs) can be used to deliver cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)-based interventions as part of a stepped care model. The ICP facilitates a collaborative approach to working which involves the PCGMHW, the general practitioner (GP) and the patient. We have designed and implemented an ICP for the assessment and treatment of depression in GP surgeries. Questionnaires were used to gauge practitioners' experience of using the ICP for the treatment of depression and to offer recommendations for improvement, producing positive findings. The ICP is a continually evolving clinical tool, which we have refined as a result of our evaluation. Owing to the success of this innovation, we intend to develop similar ICPs to facilitate the treatment of other common mental health problems in primary care, such as the anxiety disorders.

We intend this article to be a resource to practitioners faced with similar issues who may wish to consider an ICP as a tool to implement change.

Keywords: DEPRESSION; INTEGRATED CARE PATHWAY; PRIMARY CARE GRADUATE MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS (PCGMH

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2006-12-01

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