Using the chronic care model to tackle depression among older adults who have long-term physical conditions

Effective psychological and pharmacological treatments are available, but for depressed older adults with long-term physical conditions, the outcome of routine care is generally poor. This paper introduces the chronic care model, a systemic approach to quality improvement and service redesign, which was developed by Ed Wagner and colleagues. The model highlights six key areas that need to be addressed, if depression is to be tackled more effectively in this neglected patient group: delivery system design, patient-provider relationships, decision support, clinical information systems, community resources and healthcare organization. Three influential programmes, the Improving Mood Promoting Access to Collaborative Treatment programme, the Prevention of Suicide in Primary Care Elderly Collaborative Trial, and the Program to Encourage Active, and Rewarding Lives for Seniors, have shown that when the model is adopted, significant improvements in outcomes can be achieved. The paper concludes with a case study, which illustrates the difference that adopting the chronic care model can make. Radical changes in working practices may be required, to implement the model in practice. However, Greg Simon, a leading researcher in the field of depression care, has suggested that there is already sufficient evidence to justify a shift in emphasis from research towards dissemination and implementation.