Influence of patient preference and primary care clinician proclivity for watchful waiting on receipt of depression treatment.
OBJECTIVE
We examined whether patients' preference for watchful waiting and their primary care clinician's proclivity for watchful waiting were associated with decreased likelihood of receiving depression treatment.


METHODS
In a quality improvement intervention for depression in primary care, patients with depressive symptoms were identified through screening in 46 clinics from June 1996 to March 1997. We analyzed baseline survey data completed by clinicians and patients using logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Of 1140 patients, 179 (16%) preferred watchful waiting over active treatment. After controlling for covariates, patients with depressive disorders who preferred watchful waiting were less likely to report use of antidepressants (OR=0.86, 95% CI=0.77-0.95). Among patients with depressive symptoms only, those who preferred watchful waiting were less likely to report antidepressant use (OR=0.84, 95% CI=0.76-0.93) or counseling (OR=0.84, 95% CI=0.77-0.95). Patients with less knowledge about depression were less likely to receive depression treatment. Clinician proclivity for watchful waiting was not associated with the likelihood that patients received depression treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient preference for watchful waiting is associated with lower rates of some depression treatments, especially among patients with subsyndromal depression. Addressing patient preference for watchful waiting in primary care may include active symptom monitoring and patient education.
Johnson
Megan Dwight
MD
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, P.O. Box 356560, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. mdjohnso@u.washington.edu <mdjohnso@u.washington.edu>
Meredith
Lisa S
LS
Hickey
Scot C
SC
Wells
Kenneth B
KB
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003376:Counseling; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014481:United States
D000928:Antidepressive Agents