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An update to depression case management by practice nurses in primary care: a service evaluation

Murphy, R.; Ekers, D.; Webster, L.A.D.

Authors

R. Murphy

D. Ekers

L.A.D. Webster



Abstract

There is a recognized need to enhance non-pharmaceutical interventions for depression in the primary care. This service evaluation of collaborative care for depression by primary care practice nurses is an update of Ekers and Wilson (2008), reporting outcomes 5 years following initial training. From an initial 13 trained practice nurses, three provided anonymized data. Mean post-treatment Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9) score was 8 [standard deviation (SD) 6.53, n = 185], indicating a mean positive change in depression symptom level of 8.9 [SD 7.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.89–9.93, P < 0.001]. Subgroup analysis for patients identified with a comorbid long-term conditions (LTC) mean post-treatment PHQ9 score was 9 (SD 7.72, n = 33), indicating a mean positive change in depression symptom level of 8.1 (SD 5.79, 95% CI 6.04–10.41, P < 0.001). Nurses provided feedback on the intervention showing potential areas that would benefit from further detailed qualitative review. It was concluded that primary care practice nurses would be ideally placed to deliver collaborative care to depression patients with comorbid LTCs.

Citation

Murphy, R., Ekers, D., & Webster, L. (2014). An update to depression case management by practice nurses in primary care: a service evaluation. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 21(9), 827-833. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12153

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Nov 1, 2014
Deposit Date Apr 2, 2014
Journal Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
Print ISSN 1351-0126
Electronic ISSN 1365-2850
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 21
Issue 9
Pages 827-833
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12153
Keywords Chronic health conditions, Depression, Long-term conditions, Practice nurse, Primary care nurse, Primary care service evaluation.