Rapid Response

Depression Treatment in Primary Care: Recent Improvements Leave Room to Grow

Authors: Duncan G. Campbell, PhD

Abstract

Depression Treatment in Primary Care: Recent Improvements Leave Room to Grow


The research literature over the past two decades documents multiple difficulties with primary care-based depression management. Commonly cited studies from the 1980s and 1990s,1,2 for example, estimated that nearly half of depressed primary care patients and many with suicidal ideation escape detection. More contemporary data3 suggest that greater numbers of Americans receive depression care than ever before, and this improvement seems to represent expanded attention by general medical providers.4 In sum, recent treatment trends are consistent with characterization of depression as a chronic illness falling under the purview of primary care.

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References

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5. AHCPR Archived Clinical Practice Guidelines. Detection and Diagnosis; Treatment of Major Depression. Rockville, MD, US Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, 1993. Depression in Primary Care; vol 1, vol 2. AHCPR Publication Nos. 93–0550 and 93–0551.
 
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