COMMUNITY INITIATIVE ON DEPRESSION
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
¨ Garnered the attention of U.S. Surg eon General Dr. David Satcher, Department of Health and Human Services , Institute of Medicine and Centers for Disease Control .
¨ Developed Employer-based depression data collection tools and completed employer mental health benefit profiles.
¨ Data Resources Inventory – assesses the types of data employers may already be collecting or receiving related to depression.
¨ Health Benefits Profile – assesses the benefits offered by each employer.
¨ Employee Attitudinal Study – the information gleaned from this first-ever study served as the impetus for many of our subsequent projects. In fact we joined with RAND/UCLA to seek funding to design a similar study on a national basis. View some of the interesting results here (include link).
¨ National Summits – The Community Initiative on Depression was one of 15 communities selected to attend a national “Summit” held by the Institute of Medicine (and the only community-based depression project invited) to represent successful attempts to enact “Crossing the Quality Chasm” goals. Kansas City may host the national follow-up meeting.
¨ Depression-related Disability –RAND/UCLA researchers are using the administrative data of four employers to do a first-ever study of this issue.
¨ Co-morbidities – a clinical education consultant from Pfizer to devise a format to help specialists treating people with diseases in which depression also commonly occurs to also screen and treat depression. So far trials are ongoing with oncology and obstetrics and gynecology, and trials in cardiology and pediatrics are in the design stage.
¨ Diagnosis, coding & reimbursement project – A ground breaking study looking at reimbursement of primary care physicians treating depression suggested that in mild to moderate cases, patients may access the physician they see for general care for mental health support as well and the physician will be reimbursed. (Guidelines to the physicians advise them on proper treatment and when to refer to specialists.) This study was presented to the Disease Management Association of America in a national conference and will probably be presented to their annual meeting.
¨ Mental Health Benefit Design study – A profile of mental health benefits offered by all 14 employers was completed. Research comparing designs and administrative data with effectiveness data to devise “best practices” in this field are being considered.
¨ Forged many partnerships – Strong partnerships with medical community, health plans, practice managers, local behavioral health organizations, academic schools of psychiatry, medicine and pharmacy, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association of Family Physicians have been forged, and issues such as coordination of care for physical and emotional conditions are now being discussed to improve quality of care.
¨ Developed web based “Depression Tool Kit” for employers, employees physicians, and mental health professionals.
¨ Developed and currently carrying out unprecedented large-scale employer work site depression awareness campaign.
¨ Chamber of Commerce – A partnership with the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce has been formed and a town hall meeting on depression will be presented to their membership in early 2005.
¨ National Depression Invitational and Replication model – This unique partnership between employers, physicians, and health plans in the Kansas City area is viewed as an ideal model for other cities. Representatives from NYC, Pittsburgh and Atlanta have expressed possible interest in replicating the Community Initiative on Depression in their cities.
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updated October 2004