Yet another study has been released about the benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach to depression. This study showed that such an approach is actually more cost-effective than other, hodge-podge methods of treatment. Previous studies on a multidisciplinary approach to depression has shown it to be more effective in treating depression as well.
What is a multidisciplinary approach?
It’s a model of treatment that puts a person in the center of a team of specialists for that person’s health or mental health care. For instance, a person might have a psychologist serving as that person’s primary care manager who does therapy with the person, but the care manager also brings in other specialists, such as a psychiatrist (to prescribe medications) or a social worker (to help with getting benefits or financial aid). It might also include a nurse practitioner, a career specialist, or a nutritionist, depending upon each specific patient’s needs. All of the professionals know each other, respect one another’s areas of expertise, and work together as a team to provide the best care possible for the person.
Few organizations employ this approach however systematically. What most do, instead, is to grant referrals as needed with other professionals the referring professional may have little or no relationship with.
The good news is that there may come a day where this will become the gold standard of care, not only for depression, but for all health and mental health concerns. The article notes that Kaiser Permanente of Southern California has already implemented the specific approach discussed in this study. And it works:
“This research, combined with our other work showing how team care for depression has significant health benefits for older adults, illustrates how important it is for health organizations to consider implementing evidence-based collaborative models of depression care, such as IMPACT.”
Read the full article: Multidisciplinary Treatment Cost Effective for Depression
Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.Like this author?
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 8 Feb 2008
Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.
Grohol, J. (2008). Multidisciplinary Treatment for Depression: Gold Standard?. Psych Central. Retrieved on May 26, 2012, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/02/08/multidisciplinary-treatment-for-depression-gold-standard/
