A case report: implementing a nurse telecare program for treating depression in primary care

The treatment of depression in primary care needs improvement. Previously, we reported that a nurse telecare intervention for treating depression in primary care clinics significantly improved treatment outcomes. The usefulness of nurse telecare, however, depends upon the feasibility of disseminatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatric quarterly 2003-03, Vol.74 (1), p.61
Main Authors: Meresman, Joel F, Hunkeler, Enid M, Hargreaves, William A, Kirsch, Arlene J, Robinson, Patricia, Green, Ann, Mann, Elvira Z, Getzell, Michael, Feigenbaum, Paul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior Therapy
Case reports
Clinical outcomes
Clinics
Counseling
Depressive Disorder - drug therapy
Depressive Disorder - therapy
Drug therapy
Education, Medical, Continuing
Education, Nursing
Exercise
Humans
Medicine
Mental depression
Mental health
Nurses
Nurses - organization & administration
Patient Care Team
Patients
Physical fitness
Primary care
Primary Health Care - organization & administration
Psychiatrists
Psychiatry
Psychologists
Psychotherapy
Remote Consultation
United States
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Summary:The treatment of depression in primary care needs improvement. Previously, we reported that a nurse telecare intervention for treating depression in primary care clinics significantly improved treatment outcomes. The usefulness of nurse telecare, however, depends upon the feasibility of dissemination. In this report we describe nurse telecare and the steps required for implementation, and describe its dissemination in various settings. In addition to medication, which is managed by a primary care physician, the key elements of nurse telecare are focused behavioral activation, emotional support, patient education, promotion of treatment adherence, and monitoring of progress, delivered in ten brief telephone appointments over four months by primary care nurses. Support from key administrators and clinical champions is crucial to success. Nurses need "dedicated" scheduled time for telecare activities. Nurse telecare has been piloted and disseminated in diverse settings. The model required only small modifications for dissemination, and was implemented with minimal investment of resources and no negative impact on clinic operations.
ISSN:0033-2720
1573-6709
DOI:10.1023/A:1021145722959