Team-based primary care model for depression treatment reduced depressive symptoms in older adults.  

Background 

Older adults with depression report a lower quality of life and are more likely to become ill and seek frequent medical care. The Improving Mood-Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment (IMPACT) program aims to improve outcomes by providing access to a depression care manager, who collaborates with the individual, their primary care provider, and a consulting psychiatrist. This study compared older adults in the IMPACT program to those receiving usual care and measured changes in depression symptoms, medication and therapy use, satisfaction with care, and quality of life. 

Findings 

Participants were randomly assigned to either IMPACT or control groups, with outcomes being measured at three, six, and 12 months following assignment. At 12 months, older adults in the IMPACT group were more than three times as likely to have reduced depression severity and better response to treatment. Patients in this group also reported fewer functional impairments and greater overall quality of life. The study also measured the average cost of delivering IMPACT services for 12 months, which was calculated at $553 per patient.  

Policy/Program Takeaways 

Collaborative care management models, like IMPACT, significantly improve depression outcomes, functional ability, and quality of life for older adults in primary care settings. The model is also cost-effective and therefore a valuable strategy to consider for expanding access to care for the aging population.