Major Depressive Disorder in Primary Care: Strategies for Identification

Identification of depression is crucial, as untreated depression is linked to functional impairment and suicide. Learn from an expert about how measurement-based care provides a way to improve the recognition of depression and comorbid conditions.

Abstract

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting more than 300 million people of all ages globally, and is now the leading cause of disability. Despite the availability of effective psychological and pharmacologic treatments, depression recognition and treatment rates remain low. Clinicians can improve the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of depression by using a measurement-based care approach. The systematic use of validated screening tools can improve recognition and diagnosis. The US Preventive Services Task force recommends routine screening of depression in adults and adolescents as long as systems are in place for accurate diagnosis, treatment initiation, and appropriate follow-up. Here, tools and diagnostic criteria are described.    

From the Series: Measurement-Based Care for Depression From Screening and Assessment Through Treatment

To cite: Trivedi, MH. Major depressive disorder in primary care: strategies for identification. J Clin Psychiatry. 2020;81(1):UT17042BR1C

To share: https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.UT17042BR1C

© Copyright 2020 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

Target Audience

Primary care clinicians

Learning Objectives

After completing this educational activity, you should be able to:

  • Effectively use tools to assess patients for depression and psychiatric comorbidities
Activity summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.50 Participation
Activity opens: 
03/09/2020
Activity expires: 
03/31/2022
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0

Support Statement

Supported by an educational grant from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Learning Objective

After completing this educational activity, you should be able to:

  • Effectively use tools to assess patients for depression and psychiatric comorbidities

Release, Review, and Expiration Dates

This brief report activity was published in March 2020 and is eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ through March 31, 2022. The latest review of this material was March 2020.

Statement of Need and Purpose

Despite the availability of a large number of antidepressants, people with major depressive disorder (MDD) have unmet treatment needs. Clinicians do not routinely screen for MDD, but even when it is diagnosed and treated, clinicians too often fail to measure whether the treatment plan is working. Patients being treated for MDD often experience side effects, inadequate response, and residual symptoms that interfere with functioning, all of which can lead to nonadherence. Additionally, clinicians often fail to recognize comorbidities. Education for health care teams is needed to improve the screening, assessment, and treatment of MDD using measurement-based care. This activity was designed to meet the needs of participants in CME activities provided by the CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., who have requested information on MDD.

Disclosure of Off-Label Usage

Dr Trivedi has determined that, to the best of his knowledge, no investigational information about pharmaceutical agents that is outside US Food and Drug Administration–approved labeling has been presented in this activity.

Review Process

The faculty member agreed to provide a balanced and evidence-based presentation and discussed the topics and CME objectives during the planning sessions. The faculty’s submitted content was validated by CME Institute staff, and the activity was evaluated for accuracy, use of evidence, and fair balance by a peer reviewer who is without conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment

This Brief Report is derived from the planning teleconference series “Measurement-Based Care for Depression From Screening and Assessment Through Treatment,” which was held in June 2019 and supported by an educational grant from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The opinions expressed herein are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the CME provider and publisher or the commercial supporter.

Faculty Affiliation


  Madhukar H. Trivedi, MD
  University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas


Financial Disclosure

The faculty for this CME activity and the CME Institute staff were asked to complete a statement regarding all relevant personal and financial relationships between themselves or their spouse/partner and any commercial interest. The CME Institute has resolved any conflicts of interest that were identified. No member of the CME Institute staff reported any relevant personal financial relationships. Faculty financial disclosure is as follows:

Dr Trivedi is a consultant for ACADIA, Akili Interactive, Alkermes, Allergan, Alto Neuroscience, Applied Clinical Intelligence, Axsome Therapeutics, Boegringer Ingelheim, Engage Health Media, GreenLight VitalSign6, Janssen, Jazz, Lundbeck, Medscape, Navitor, Otsuka, Perception Neuroscience Holdings, Pharmerit International, and SAGE Therapeutics; has received grant/research support from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas, and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson; and is stock shareholder of Alto Neuroscience.

Accreditation Statement

The CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

 

 

Credit Designation

The CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Note: The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accept certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

To obtain credit for this activity, study the material and complete the CME Posttest and Evaluation.

MOC APPROVAL STATEMENT

Through the American Board of Medical Specialties (“ABMS”) ongoing commitment to increase access to practice relevant Continuing Certification Activities through the ABMS Continuing Certification DirectoryMajor Depressive Disorder in Primary Care: Strategies for Identification has met the requirements as a MOC Part II CME Activity (apply toward general CME requirement) for the following ABMS Member Boards:

MOC PART II CME ACTIVITY

Psychiatry and Neurology

Available Credit

  • 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 0.50 Participation

Price

Cost:
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