The purpose of this study is to determine whether treatment of patients with anxiety according to the Collabri Model is more effective in reducing symptoms compared to treatment as usual (TAU)

Background:

Depression and anxiety are common diseases often treated in general practice. However, there are obstacles for optimal treatment e.g. a lack of continuity in disease management, organized collaboration between primary and secondary care and access to psychotherapy. Previous collaborative care studies have shown significant improvements in treatment outcomes for patients with depression and anxiety in primary care; however studies have yet not been carried out in a Danish context. Thus, the Collabri-model for collaborative care for panic disorder, generalized anxiety, social phobia and depression has been developed. The model includes: a multi-professional approach to treatment including a care manager (e.g. a psychiatric nurse), enhanced inter-professional communication, scheduled monitoring and review and structured treatment plans.

Objective:

To investigate whether treatment according to the Collabri-model have an effect on symptoms for people with anxiety disorders.

Methods/design:

Three cluster-randomized, clinical trials are set up to investigate treatment according to the Collabri-model compared to treatment as usual for 364 patients diagnosed with panic disorder, generalized anxiety and social phobia respectively from general practices in the Capital Region of Denmark. For all studies, the primary outcome is anxiety symptoms measured with Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at 6 months.

Results/discussion:

The results will contribute new knowledge on collaborative care for depression and anxiety disorders in Danish conditions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: 18+ years
• Danish speaking
• Diagnosis of current depression using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) (DSM IV) by researchers that have been trained in using MINI and according to the ICD-10 criteria or when diagnosed by GP after conference with a psychiatrist in Project Collabri
• The patient has given her/his written informed consent to participate in the trial at the described terms

Exclusion Criteria:

• High risk of suicide assessed in the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and/or by general practitioner
• Psychotic condition detected in the MINI and/or by general practitioner
• Patients with a diagnosis of dementia
• Pregnancy
• Alcohol or substance misuse that hinders the person participating in Collabri treatment as assessed by the practitioner or researcher at inclusion interview
• Patients that are in current psychological or psychiatric treatment due to anxiety or depression
• Patients with a pending disability pension case
• Patients who have been treated for anxiety or depression within the last 6 months
• For patients in the intervention group: Patients with depression who wants treatment cf. the Danish psychologist scheme and do not want the reference to the psychologist preceded by other treatment, cf. the Collabri model
• For patients in the intervention group: If the patient at the first point of contact with the general practitioner after inclusion by a research assistant is referred to treatment as a part of the secondary psychiatric care system.
• Patients who are assessed by the general practitioner as medically unstable making it impossible for the patient to adhere to treatment
• OCD, PTSD, bipolar affective disorder as assessed in the MINI and/or by the general practitioner