Treatment of Depression in a Low-Income Primary Care Setting With Colocated Mental Health Care

In order to characterize depression treatment-as-usual in a large primary care practice in the United States with colocated mental health care, and to examine predictors of receiving any treatment and receiving adequate treatment, primary care patients were systematically approached in waiting rooms. Those with a minimum level of depression symptoms (n = 91) were asked to participate in a study in which they completed assessments of mental health service use, depression symptoms, and related problems. Results suggested that most patients with elevated depressive symptoms were receiving some type of mental health care, indicating they had been identified as depressed. However, only half were receiving "minimally adequate care." Minority patients were less likely to receive any care. Patients who were more depressed, demonstrated poorer problem-solving ability, and had poorer physical health were more likely to receive any treatment and to receive minimally adequate treatment for depression. These results suggest that, even in the context of colocated mental health care, there is still room for improving treatment of depressed patients.