Background
Comorbid depression can occur with diabetes and heart disease.
This article reports on a feasibility study focusing on additional roles
for practice nurses in detecting and monitoring depression with
other chronic diseases.
Discussion
Practice nurses can include depression monitoring alongside
systematic care of diabetes and heart disease. A randomised trial is
currently underway to compare the clinical outcomes of this model
with usual care.
Results
The 332 patients who participated in the project each received a
comprehensive health summary to assist with self management.
Depression was identified in 34% of patients in this convenience
sample. After 18 months implementation, practice nurses were
strongly in favour of continuing the model of care. General
practitioners gave highly favourable ratings for effectiveness and
willingness to continue this model of care.
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