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The influence of patient preference on depression treatment in primary care

  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background: The chronic illness model encourages consideration of patients’ treatment preferences. Moreover, research suggests that matching treatment to preference might affect outcomes for patients with depression.Purpose: This investigation explored factors associated with treatment preference matching and the effects of matching on depression treatment outcomes.Methods: Treatment preferences were assessed among primary care patients with depression participating in a large randomized trial of depression management. Patients were offered antidepressant medication and/or counseling based on preference and several other factors. Depression was assessed at 3 and 9 months.Results: Participants who preferred medication were older, were in worse physical health, and were more likely to already be taking antidepressants. Participants who preferred both medication and counseling evidenced greater agreement with the statement that depression is a medical illness. Overall, 72% of participants were matched with their preferred treatment; matched participants demonstrated more rapid improvement in depression symptomatology than unmatched participants.Conclusions: Obtaining preferred treatment appears to contribute to improved treatment outcome. Continued attempts to assess for and accommodate treatment preferences might result in better response to depression treatment. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Health Services Research and Development Service supported this research. This article presents our findings and conclusions. It does not necessarily represent those of the Department of Veterans Affairs or Health Services Research and Development Service.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. HSR&D (152) VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 South Columbian Way, 98108, Seattle, WA

    Patricia Lin M.P.H., Duncan G. Campbell Ph.D. & Susan C. Hedrick Ph.D.

  2. Department of Health Services, University of Washington, USA

    Edmund F. Chaney Ph.D.

  3. Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence and Mental Health Service, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, USA

    Edmund F. Chaney Ph.D.

  4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, USA

    Chuan-Fen Liu Ph.D.

  5. Department of Health Services, University of Washington, USA

    Patrick Heagerty Ph.D.

  6. Mental Health Service VA Puget Sound Health Care System, USA

    Bradford L. Felker M.D. & Susan C. Hedrick Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Patricia Lin M.P.H.
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  2. Duncan G. Campbell Ph.D.
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  3. Edmund F. Chaney Ph.D.
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  4. Chuan-Fen Liu Ph.D.
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  5. Patrick Heagerty Ph.D.
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  6. Bradford L. Felker M.D.
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  7. Susan C. Hedrick Ph.D.
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Lin, P., Campbell, D.G., Chaney, E.F. et al. The influence of patient preference on depression treatment in primary care. ann. behav. med. 30, 164–173 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3002_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3002_9

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