A Remote Collaborative Care Program for Patients with Depression Living in Rural Areas: Open-Label Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the treatment of depression, primary care teams have an essential role, but they are most effective when inserted into a collaborative care model for disease management. In rural areas, the shortage of specialized mental health resources may hamper management of depressed patients.

Objective

The aim was to test the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a remote collaborative care program for patients with depression living in rural areas.

Methods

In a nonrandomized, open-label (blinded outcome assessor), two-arm clinical trial, physicians from 15 rural community hospitals recruited 250 patients aged 18 to 70 years with a major depressive episode (DSM-IV criteria). Patients were assigned to the remote collaborative care program (n=111) or to us

SUBMITTER: Rojas G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5952120 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature