Table 2.

Illustrations of Audio-Taped OSCEs: Baseline and Post-Intervention

Subjects were instructed: “Today you performed a visit with this patient (patient vignette viewed) you suspect is depressed. Please call the physician and present the case to the patient's physician as you would do ordinarily as a component of providing home health care services.”

Baseline: I am calling you to tell you about your patient Mr. Jones. He is not sleeping well, fatigued, and his wife is concerned. He has diabetes and takes insulin. He may be depressed and his wife says he is anxious. …. I am not sure what to do, he is already taking Zoloft. He denies thoughts about death or suicide… He had a hip replacement 2 months ago.

Post-Intervention: I am calling you about your patient Mr. Arthur Jones whom I suspect has depression. Mr. Jones is a 66 y.o. married, White man. He reports a depressed mood, most days nearly every day for the last 6–7 months. He has lost interest in activities (including watching his favorite sporting events). He denies thoughts about death or suicide. He denies a psychiatric history. He is a retired teacher, lives with his wife of 30 years and underwent bilateral hip replacement 2 months ago. Medical illnesses: osteoarthritis, diabetes. Medications include Zoloft 50mg po qd without side effects, Alprazolam 0.25mg po prn q 8 hrs (which he takes once or twice a day). Both started 1 month ago at the rehabilitation facility. Lantus 50 units sc qd hs, and Tylenol Extra Strength 2 tabs q 4–6 hrs prn pain.… I would recommend having a psychiatric nurse evaluate the patient.

Notes: OSCE: Objective Structured Clinical Examination