Program Manages Depression

Depression is a leading cause of disability in the United States, but it often goes undiagnosed and untreated each year. Research has shown that less than 50% of patients with depression receive adequate treatment, and almost 40% of the patients who start treatment quit shortly after they begin. Patients who are not properly diagnosed and treated for depression can have severe difficulty functioning in everyday life?contributing to an increase in employee absenteeism, a decrease in work productivity, and the inability to function in society.

To combat the rise in depression statistics, PacifiCare Behavioral Health (PBH), based in Santa Ana, Calif, has developed a first-of-its-kind diagnostic system that detects patients with serious depression and manages their care on a long-term basis. Also, PBH has developed a depression management program targeting patients treated for depression within the primary care setting. Recent studies indicate that patients participating in this program significantly improved medication compliance, improved work productivity by 64%, and experienced a 56% reduction in overall symptoms. To learn more about PacifiCare Behavioral Health programs, visit www.pbhi.com.