To determine if treatment of significant depressive symptoms identified in individuals attending a family practice improves either psychiatric outcome, overall health care costs, or Quality of Life (QOL). Two previously developed treatment approaches - an internet-based approach and a comprehensive depression pathway - will be compared to two control groups (those who have treatment as usual after screening for depression and measurement of QOL, and a second control group who will have QOL data only collected). The investigators hope to help Alberta Health Services identify which approach is best as rapidly as possible so that the best approach can be implemented throughout the province of Alberta.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,489
Participants will be treated as per clinic's standard treatment for depression.
One of the major treatments for mild-moderate depressive disorders is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It has been possible to operationalize some of this treatment and internet-based approaches to this have been developed. The most widely examined was developed in Australia and is termed "MoodGYM" (https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome). This program has been widely studied, and these studies have shown it is very effective for many individuals in family practice
There has been a growing awareness in health care circles that certain high frequency, high cost addiction and mental health disorders may be best addressed via the systemic adoption of clinical pathways. A clinical pathway is defined as "a multidisciplinary outline of anticipated care, placed in an appropriate timeframe, to help a patient with a specific condition or set of symptoms move progressively through a clinical experience to positive outcomes." A clinical pathway incorporates guidelines, protocols and evidence informed best practice into everyday use for the patient and family.
Reduction in depression scores in those patients who have one of the two treatment interventions
We expect a reduction in depression scores in those patients who have one of the two treatment interventions (Groups #3 and #4) over a 12-week period, compared to those who are screened for depression, but only receive treatment as usual (Group #2).
Time frame: 12 weeks
Reduction in total health care costs
We expect a reduction in total health care costs in the two treatment groups compared both to those who are not screened for depression (Group #1) and those who are screened for depression, but only receive treatment as usual (Group #2). This will be a within-subject comparison for total health care costs in the 12-weeks prior to the index visit compared to the total health care costs in the 12-weeks following the index visit. Mid-term costs will also be compared between groups for the 12-month period following the index visit. Examples of costs included are the number of doctors visits, any ambulance rides or emergency room visits and lab tests. The data collected will not include any diagnosis or results and will only be used for economic analysis. This data will be owned by the University of Alberta, will not be saved in medical records and no one but the study staff will have access to the data unless authorized by a governement agency or ethics board.
Time frame: 12 weeks/12 months
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