Treatment-Resistant Depression Diagnosis in the Outpatient Behavioral Health Setting
Abstract
Treatment-resistant depression can be challenging to identify in the outpatient behavioral health setting due to a lack of clear diagnostic guidelines. The evidence-based quality improvement project examined current practices in diagnosing treatment-resistant depression in the outpatient behavioral health setting. Data collection on current practices was conducted through a chart review of psychiatric evaluations for patients prescribed antidepressant monotherapy and a direct survey of clinicians. Clinician participation in the survey was voluntary and included any medication-prescribing clinician working in the outpatient behavioral health clinic. This data was analyzed to create an educational offering for clinicians in the outpatient setting regarding the diagnosis and treatment of treatment-resistant depression. After delivering the education, new patient charts were evaluated at the two-month mark to determine if there was a difference in the identification and treatment of treatment-resistant depression. Missed signs of treatment-resistant depression were found in the outpatient setting. Increased accuracy in diagnosing treatment-resistant depression may help improve patient outcomes and the overall quality of care.
Degree
D.N.P.
Rights
Open Access (fully available)
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