Managing late-life depression in primary care practice: a case study of the Health Specialist's role.
Complexities in the diagnosis and treatment of late-life depression have stimulated various strategies for assisting the primary care physician to fulfil these tasks more effectively. The role of Health Specialist was developed for this purpose in a study to reduce suicidality among older depressed patients. This role includes clinical and case management tasks which aim to provide the physician with timely, patient-specific information and recommendations. Evolution of this role and its rewards/stressors during the study's first year are described.
Schulberg
H C
HC
Intervention Research Center for Late-Life Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA, USA. hcs2001@med.cornell.ed
Bryce
C
C
Chism
K
K
Mulsant
B H
BH
Rollman
B
B
Bruce
M
M
Coyne
J
J
Reynolds
C F
CF
D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010819:Physician's Role; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention