Integrated Depression Care

Integrated Depression Care Project

The Integrated DEpression CAre (IDECA) Programme is a multi-faceted intervention strategy aiming to improve guideline adherence and shared care practices for depression management in both providers and patients, as measured through a set of process and clinical outcome indicators (primary outcome measure).

The following deliverables apply:

1. Development and implementation of a shared care protocol for depression management involving primary, secondary and tertiary care levels;
2. Training module for physicians and other care providers in population health management for patients with depression;
3. Training module for case managers/integration of a case management function into existing depression service offerings;
4. A patient education module for depression self-management;
5. A financing model for integrated depression care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• persons between 18-65
• presenting to the general practitioner's office
• with depressive symtomatology

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe depression warranting direct referral to specialized services

Inclusion criteria are kept broad on purpose as it's one of the research questions to define for which patients the intervention (namely the case management) is appropriate.