THE HAMPSHIRE DEPRESSION PROJECT - DEVELOPMENT AND PILOTING OF CLINICAL-PRACTICE GUIDELINES AND EDUCATION ABOUT DEPRESSION IN PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE

This paper describes the development and piloting of a comprehensive e ducational programme about recognition and management of depressive il lness in primary care. Full evaluation of the effectiveness of the pro gramme is currently underway in a randomized controlled trial, the Ham pshire Depression Project (HDP), involving 56 general practices. The p rogramme consists of clinical practice guidelines, practice-based semi nars and follow-up sessions. Each part of the programme has been desig ned to be flexible, clinically oriented and relevant to all members of the multidisciplinary primary care team. The pilot study established the need for a systematic approach to the access of practices and prac tice teams, and the organization and process of the seminars. Applicat ion of this approach was associated with excellent attendance in the m ain programme.