Moving evidence-based interventions to populations: a case study using social workers in primary care.
This article describes a study to expand a proven evidence- based practice for depression to a population-based intervention for frail older adults. Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) has been proven effective in reducing depression and other mental health conditions in cognitively intact adults in many studies. The current study employs a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a social work intervention for frail older adults that uses PST to address depression and other psychosocial issues. The intervention employs Master's trained social workers integrated into a large primary care practice. The study population is comprised of home-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions, a recent history of unnecessary hospitalizations, and no more than mild cognitive impairment.
Geron
Scott Miyake
SM
Institute for Geriatric Social Work, Boston University School of Social Work, 232 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Keefe
Bronwyn
B
D000368:Aged; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012947:Social Work; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population