Multidisciplinary Collaborative Care for Depressive Disorder in the Occupational Health Setting: design of a randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness study

Moniek C Vlasveld¹^,2^,3 , Johannes R Anema²^,3^,4^,5 , Aartjan TF Beekman²^,6 , Willem van Mechelen²^,3^,4^,5 , Rob Hoedeman⁷^,8 , Harm WJ van Marwijk²^,9 , Frans F Rutten¹⁰ , Leona Hakkaart-van Roijen¹⁰ and Christina M van der Feltz-Cornelis¹^,2^,6

¹Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction (Trimbos-institute), Utrecht, The Netherlands

²EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

³Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Centre, The Netherlands

⁴Body@Work, Research Centre Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

⁵Research Centre for Insurance Medicine AMC-UWV-VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

⁶Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

⁷ArboNed Utrecht, The Netherlands

⁸University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

⁹Department of General Practice, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

¹⁰institute for Medical Technology Assessment, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

author email corresponding author email

BMC Health Services Research 2008, 8:99doi:10.1186/1472-6963-8-99


Published:	5 May 2008

Abstract

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has major consequences for both patients and society, particularly in terms of needlessly long sick leave and reduced functioning. Although evidence-based treatments for MDD are available, they show disappointing results when implemented in daily practice. A focus on work is also lacking in the treatment of depressive disorder as well as communication of general practitioners (GPs) and other health care professionals with occupational physicians (OPs). The OP may play a more important role in the recovery of patients with MDD. Purpose of the present study is to tackle these obstacles by applying a collaborative care model, which has proven to be effective in the USA, with a focus on return to work (RTW). From a societal perspective, the (cost)effectiveness of this collaborative care treatment, as a way of transmural care, will be evaluated in depressed patients on sick leave in the occupational health setting.

Methods/Design

A randomised controlled trial in which the treatment of MDD in the occupational health setting will be evaluated in the Netherlands. A transmural collaborative care model, including Problem Solving Treatment (PST), a workplace intervention, antidepressant medication and manual guided self-help will be compared with care as usual (CAU). 126 Patients with MDD on sick leave between 4 and 12 weeks will be included in the study. Care in the intervention group will be provided by a multidisciplinary team of a trained OP-care manager and a consultant psychiatrist. The treatment is separated from the sickness certification. Data will be collected by means of questionnaires at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after baseline. Primary outcome measure is reduction of depressive symptoms, secondary outcome measure is time to RTW, tertiary outcome measure is the cost effectiveness.

Discussion

The high burden of MDD and the high level of sickness absence among people with MDD contribute to the relevance of this study. The intervention is an innovative approach, with trained OPs in a new role as care managers in the treatment of MDD. If this intervention proves to be cost-effective, implementation will be very relevant for individual patients as well as for society.

Trial registration

ISRCTN78462860