Depression Care Management Programme in Primary Care Setting: a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction : Older adults with chronic illness were reported with depressive symptoms but many of them did not receive essential treatment and care. Depression care management programme was piloted in a primary care clinic from March 2010 to October 2010 in Hong Kong.This study reported the effects of this DCM programme on patients’ health-related quality of life, mental health and social network. Method : A quasi-experimental design, using SF-12 Health Survey, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS) and Lubben Social Network Scale (C-LSNS). T-test was used to measure the difference between pre-intervention and post-intervention tests. Results : A total of 34 subjects completed the pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires. Majority (79.4%) of the subjects was female and mean age (SD) was 63.26 (10.73). 24% had diabetes and 59% had hypertension. Mental health component of SF-12 changed significantly after the intervention (mean difference (m.d.) = 13.42, p<0.001). Depression was reduced significantly after the intervention (m.d. = - 9.59, p<0.001). Similar pattern occurred in anxiety and stress. Social network was also improved after the intervention (m.d. = 4.06, p< 0.05). Conclusion : DCM programme seemed to improve participants’ mental health and social network. Study with larger sample is warrant to show the actual effects of this programme. Keywords : depression, care management, mental health, primary care