Research on the Tufts Be Well at Work Program for Employees With Depression: 2005-2020

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Clinical psychology
• Health economics

Background:

• Depression significantly impacts work productivity and is a costly health issue.
• Interventions specifically targeting occupational functioning in employees with depression are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of the Tufts Be Well at Work intervention.
• To summarize 15 years of research evaluating its occupational, clinical, and economic impact.

Main Methods:

• Six studies were conducted, including pilot studies and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in various settings.
• RCTs compared the Tufts Be Well at Work intervention to usual care.

Main Results:

• The intervention consistently improved occupational functioning, work productivity, and depression symptom severity.
• Employees receiving usual care showed smaller improvements.
• The program yielded a positive return on investment.

Conclusions:

• Tufts Be Well at Work is an effective intervention for enhancing occupational and clinical functioning.
• Its cost-effectiveness and positive impact on work productivity highlight its economic benefits.