DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOM REVERSAL FOR WOMEN IN A PRIMARY-CARE SETTING - A PILOT-STUDY

Cognizant that only 20% of depressed individuals seek treatment, Healt hy People 2000 has recommended a goal of increasing this figure to 45% , This flows from a recognition of depression as a serious and costly problem, with women carrying twice the risk of men. Primary care setti ngs are the first contact a depressed woman may make with the health c are system. This study piloted a collaborative model in which a Psychi atric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse (PMH-APN) was available on site to assist providers to recognize women with depressive symptoms and to provide intervention. Thirty three women were identified by pri mary care providers and referred for screening to the PMH-APN, Assessm ent and intervention based on the interpersonal theory of Peplau were accomplished in an average of eight sessions with the PMH-APN, Pre and postintervention descriptive data on the primary outcome (depressive symptoms) and three theoretically congruent mediating variables (perfo rmance and social self-esteem and satisfaction with interpersonal rela tions) were consistent with the expected outcomes of the intervention. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.