Chronic Disease and Healthcare Research
Additional PRoMPT Projects
The large-scale PRoMPT trial includes a number of additional special projects. For example, qualitative interviews have been conducted with the participating family physicians, health care assistants and patients in order to better understand their subjective and individual views. Furthermore, the health economic costs of the PRoMPT intervention are being analyzed in cooperation with external partners, and special analyses on suicidal tendencies, self-management and other aspects of depression are being conducted.
Health care assistants provide primary care for depressive patients - Role perceptions, disease concepts and stress factors
In recent years, the integration and professionalization of health care assistants has been discussed as a way of optimizing primary care for chronically ill patients. The present trial aims to investigate the views on case management of health care assistants that participated at the PRoMPT intervention group. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 health care assistants and the results evaluated using computer-supported content analysis. The results of the study will be published in the near future.
Attitudes of family physicians to case management for patients with major depression: a qualitative study
Family practice-based case management represents a forward-looking development in German primary care for patients with major depression. This study investigates the views of family physicians to this novel way of providing care. Using semi-structured qualitative interviews, 23 physicians of the PRoMPT intervention group were asked about their individual experiences and attitudes. A final evaluation of the results is in the process of completion and publication is in preparation.
Qualitative interviews with patients
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients that participated in the PRoMPT trial in order to better understand their views, and computer-supported content analysis used to evaluate the results. The aim is not only to examine their subjective perceptions of the case management intervention but also the influence of case management on the patient's perception of his or her depression symptoms and self-image. Preliminary results indicate that case management can strengthen the relationship with the family physician and/or to the health care assistant.
Health-economic analyses of the PRoMPT trial
The "Primary Care Monitoring for depressive Patients Trial" (PRoMPT) examined the effectiveness of family practice-based case management for patients with major depression. Specially trained health care assistants called the patients once a month, gathered information on their current depression symptoms and provided a structured report to the family physician. It was possible to significantly improve depression symptoms in the intervention group in comparison with the control group. In cooperation with the Hanover Medical School, the health economic costs of this clinically effective intervention are currently under investigation. You can find further information here [PDF].
Predictors of suicidal tendencies among primary care patients with major depression
Suicides are common, particularly among depressed persons, and the first port of call for patients suffering from depression is generally the family physician. However, suicidal tendencies often remain unrecognized. Using the PRoMPT data, this project examines predictors of suicidal tendencies among primary care patients with major depression. You can find further information here [PDF].
Which patients suffering from major depression are most likely to show improved symptoms after 12 months of case management?
Medical care for patients suffering from depression often takes place in the general practice. Family practice-based case management has proved itself to be effective in reducing symptoms in patients with major depression. Using the PRoMPT data, this project aims to find out which patients are most likely to show improved symptoms after one year of case management. You can find further information here [PDF].
Influence of family practice-based case management on the self-management of patients with major depression
When employed in primary care, case management is one element of the chronic care model which can lead to symptom improvement in patients with major depression. Little research has been done into the effect of case management on self management, or the way patients deal with their illness themselves. This project aims to find out whether, after two years, family practice-based case management results in improved self-management in patients with major depression [PDF].