Comparison Study of Family Practice Interventions for Depression in Adults

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Depression

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Treatment as usual

Participants will be treated as per clinic's standard treatment for depression.

BEHAVIORAL

Internet Intervention

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

BEHAVIORAL

Depression Treatment Pathway

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Addiction & Mental Health Strategic Clinical Network

  collaborator OTHER

• AHS Cancer Control Alberta

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Peter H Silverstone, M.D. · Alberta Health Services and University of Alberta

• Katherine Rittenbach, PhD · Alberta Health services

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2013-11-30

Primary Completion

2015-05-05

Completion

2015-05-05