Table 1.
Characteristics of practices where multifaceted approach to detecting and managing depression was implemented. Values are numbers (percentages) of patients unless stated otherwise
| Characteristic
|
Practice A
|
Practice B
|
|---|---|---|
| No of patients aged 18-65 years: | 5435 | 3250 |
| Women | 2826 (52) | 1918 (59) |
| No (%) from ethnic minorities | 55 (1) | 1528 (47) |
| No of patients aged 18-65 years treated for depression*: | 285 | 52 |
| Aged 40-65 years | 194 (68) | 31 (59) |
| Women | 205 (72) | 27 (51) |
| With recurrent depression | 100 (35) | 5 (10)† |
| With chronic depression (>2 years continuous treatment) | 88 (31) | 6 (12)† |
| Case management: | ||
| Prescribed SSRIs | 117 (41) | 29 (55) |
| Prescribed subtherapeutic doses of antidepressants | 108 (38) | 16 (31) |
| Reviewed within 6 weeks | 29 (10) | Not known |
| Offered counselling‡ | 46 (16) | 7 (13) |
| Referred to mental health services | 63 (22) | 21 (40) |
SSRI=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
*
Estimated from numbers prescribed antidepressants specifically for depression.
†
Figures from handwritten case notes and may be an underestimate.
‡
Data from practices and counselling services.