Clinical outcomes of depressed clients: a review of current literature

The purpose of this paper is to review current literature reporting clinical outcomes of depressed clients who are treated by advanced practice psychiatric nurses (APPN), primary care providers, and other mental health care providers. The APPN has always been prepared to provide both individual and group psychotherapy. Now the role has expanded to include prescriptive authority and an increased focus on the psycho-neurobiological aspects of treatment. To date, there are limited outcomes studies of APPN care. A computer search of research publications was conducted, which yielded 50 articles. After careful review of each, four quantitative studies were retained. The search was expanded to include other disciplines; ten additional studies were included.