Strategies for evaluating treatments for major depression in primary care patients.
Primary care physicians are being urged to provide patients experiencing a major depression treatments validated with psychiatric patients. The propriety of transferring clinical technologies from one care-giving sector to another is questionable, however, as it has little scientific support. We suggest that clinical trials be initiated so as to expand the available knowledge base. This paper analyzes the methodologic issues involved in pursuing such experimental research and urges that it be conducted despite the possible need for initial design compromises.
Schulberg
H C
HC
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania.
Coulehan
J L
JL
Block
M R
MR
Scott
C P
CP
Imber
S D
SD
Perel
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents