title: Addressing depression in obstetrics/gynecology practice.
abstract: Efforts to improve the care of depression in primary care patients have largely ignored the potential of obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) practices. We describe feasibility studies of a depression screening and care management intervention in three diverse OB/GYN practices. Patients were screened using the Patient Health Questionnaire. A depression care manager offered education and referral assistance to women who screened positive for depression. The prevalence of depression was higher in the hospital clinic (20.2%, 47/233) than the suburban clinic (10.7%, 8/75) or the office practice (8.2%, 48/583). Seventy-two women participated in the care management intervention. Patient satisfaction with the intervention was high and at 1-month follow-up, 31.9% of patients had kept or scheduled a new mental health appointment. Depression interventions developed in primary care can be successfully adapted for use with patients in OB/GYN practices. Additional modifications, particularly efforts to improve coordination of care with both general medical and mental health providers, are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA. schollesh@msx.upmc.edu
authors.forename: Sarah Hudson
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Scholle
authors.forename: Roger F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Haskett
authors.forename: Barbara H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Hanusa
authors.forename: Harold Alan
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Pincus
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kupfer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics; D010346:Patient Care Management; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires