title: Lessons learned from study of depression in cardiovascular patients in an acute-care heart and vascular hospital.
abstract: Depression is highly prevalent in patients with cardiovascular disease, but questions about the effectiveness of screening and intervention remain unanswered. To evaluate the effects of proactive intervention at an acute-care heart and vascular hospital, patients who reported depressive symptoms on admission were randomized to an active, counseling-based depression intervention plus standard care (referral to a primary or psychiatric care physician) or to standard care alone. Despite early termination of patient enrollment because of lower-than-expected recruitment rates, the project had a positive impact. By involving and educating staff, the investigators raised awareness and improved the process of identifying and helping depressed patients. The lessons in study design and execution gained from this experience will help ensure success in future studies of this condition.
authors: Departments of Pastoral Care (Davis), Administration (Vish), Cardiac Rehabilitation (Adams), and Electrophysiology Services (Muldoon) and the Specialty Care Unit (Renbarger), Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital; the Department of Psychiatry, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas (Brennan); and the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana (Garner).
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Davis
authors: J Michael
authors: JM
authors: Brennan
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Vish
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Adams
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Muldoon
authors: Tara
authors: T
authors: Renbarger
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Garner
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