A telephone-based disease management program significantly improved overall response rates compared to usual care in older veterans with depression and/or at-risk drinking (39.1% vs 17.6%, p=0.022).
RCT (n=97)
random assignment of their clinician
Does a telephone-based disease management program improve symptomatic outcomes in veterans with depression and/or at-risk drinking?
A telephone-based disease management program significantly improved symptomatic response rates at 4 months in veterans with depression and/or at-risk drinking compared to usual care.
Absolute Event Rate: 39.1% vs 17.6%
p-value: p=0.022
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy in a primary care setting of a telephone-based disease management program for the acute management of depression and/or at-risk drinking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Veterans (N= 97) with depression and/or at-risk drinking were identified by systematic screening and assessment. Eligible subjects received either telephone disease management (TDM) program or usual care based on random assignment of their clinician. The TDM program consisted of regular contacts with each subject by a behavioral health specialist (BHS) to assist in assessment, education, support, and treatment planning. Symptomatic outcomes were assessed at 4 months. RESULTS: Overall response rates favored those assigned to TDM compared with those assigned to usual care (39.1% responded vs. 17.6%, p= 0.022). Response rates within the separate diagnostic groups also favored TDM, but this was only significant for depressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Although the sample size was modest and the sample was limited to veterans, findings strongly suggest that a telephone-based disease management program can improve outcomes for patients with a behavioral health problem. Findings also suggest that a health specialist can focus and manage patients with different diagnoses, thus expanding the role beyond just depression care. TDM may be a viable, low-cost, model for primary care clinicians to deliver manual guideline-adherent behavioral health care, especially in a VA clinical setting.
Oslin et al. (Sat,) conducted a rct in Depression and/or at-risk drinking (n=97). Telephone disease management (TDM) program vs. Usual care was evaluated on Overall response rates (p=0.022). A telephone-based disease management program significantly improved overall response rates compared to usual care in older veterans with depression and/or at-risk drinking (39.1% vs 17.6%, p=0.022).
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