Depression Follow-up in Primary Care: A State of the Science Review

Depression is a major and prevalent concern in primary care. Despite the many efforts over the past four decades to improve the quality of treatment and follow-up for depression, a gap remains between the current levels of follow-up care versus follow-up care that research suggests leads to optimal clinical outcomes. Because so many somatic complaints and medical comorbidities associated with depression are seen in primary care, the FNP is well positioned to recognize, manage, and provide appropriate follow-up care for depression. Specific guidelines are needed in order for FNPs to successfully monitor and provide follow-up treatment for depression in primary care. Research has shown that administering multiple repeated assessments to depression patients provides more accurate and useful information for management of the condition; it also improves outcomes by detecting patients who are not responding adequately to treatment. In order to achieve this goal, FNPs in the primary care setting must increase the frequency and quality of follow-up visits, consistently utilize patient self-assessment tools, maintain ongoing communication with patients, and follow a guideline to manage follow-up care.