Collaborative care for depression

Depression can be a chronic and relapsing condition. Most people with depression are managed in primary care, based around a model of ‘stepped care’, which recommends interventions depending on severity of symptoms. Collaborative care (CC) is a model of care originating from the United States, which has an increasing evidence-base for effectiveness and acceptability in the UK. CC includes a multi-professional approach to patient care delivered by a GP and at least one other health professional. A structured patient management plan that facilitates delivery of evidence-based interventions, scheduled and pro-active patient follow-ups, either face-to-face or by remote communication and enhanced interprofessional communication between team members who share responsibility for the care of the patient.