CLINICAL-PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR DEPRESSION IN PRIMARY-CARE - WHAT SOCIAL-WORKERS NEED TO KNOW

In April 1993, the government issued guidelines for the treatment of m ajor depression in primary care, stressing a pharmacological approach. Although several professional associations have endorsed these guidel ines, the American Psychological Association has declined to do so. Pr imary care physicians consult with social workers on mental health iss ues, so social workers need to be aware of the questions that have bee n raised in the context of the controversy over the guidelines. An edu cated position on the controversy can only come from familiarity with the empirical literature on the research-based benefits and costs of d rug treatment versus psychotherapy for major depression. This article offers the needed literature review, after first summarizing the natur e of the depression-guidelines controversy.