title: Controlled trial of problem-solving therapy and consultation-liaison for common mental disorders in general medical settings in Taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Common mental disorders (CMD) are prevalent high-impact illnesses seen in general medical settings worldwide. There has been no investigation on the efficacy of enhanced care in Chinese societies. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of three interventions for treating CMD: usual care (UC), problem-solving therapy plus UC (PST-UC), and psychiatric consultation plus UC (PC-UC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample for this randomized controlled trial consisted of 254 patients with CMD being managed in general medical care settings. Clinical and functional assessments were done at baseline and at 16 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred six patients had complete data at 16 weeks (66 in the UC group, 63 in the PST-UC group, 77 in the PC-UC group). All patients had significant improvement on all scales over time, with no significant differences among the three treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trial failed to demonstrate the efficacy of enhanced care with consultation-liaison by mental health professionals for patients with CMD in general medical settings in Taiwan. Improved outcomes may require more integrated interventions.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 25115, Taiwan. liuyip@ms23.hinet.net
authors: Shen-Ing
authors: SI
authors: Liu
authors: Hui-Chun
authors: HC
authors: Huang
authors: Zai-Ting
authors: ZT
authors: Yeh
authors: Lee-Ching
authors: LC
authors: Hwang
authors: Jin-Jin
authors: JJ
authors: Tjung
authors: Chiu-Rong
authors: CR
authors: Huang
authors: Chien-Chi
authors: CC
authors: Hsu
authors: Chih-Jen
authors: CJ
authors: Ho
authors: I-Wen
authors: IW
authors: Sun
authors: Chun-Kai
authors: CK
authors: Fang
authors: Shu-Jen
authors: SJ
authors: Shiau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011340:Problem Solving; D013624:Taiwan