The Role of Primary Care Experiences in Obtaining Treatment for Depression

Background Managing depression in primary care settings has increased with the rise of integrated models of care, such as patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs). The relationship between patient experience in PCMH settings and receipt of depression treatment is unknown. Objective In a large sample of Veterans diagnosed with depression, we examined whether positive PCMH experiences predicted subsequent initiation or continuation of treatment for depression. Design and Participants We conducted a lagged cross-sectional study of depression treatment among Veterans with depression diagnoses ( n = 27,362) in the years before (Y1) and after (Y2) they completed the Veterans Health Administration’s national 2013 PCMH Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients. Main Measures We assessed patient experiences in four domains, each categorized as positive/moderate/negative. Depression treatment, determined from administrative records, was defined annually as 90 days of antidepressant medications or six psychotherapy visits. Multivariable logistic regressions measured associations between PCMH experiences and receipt of depression treatment in Y2, accounting for treatment in Y1. Key Results Among those who did not receive depression treatment in Y1 ( n = 4613), positive experiences in three domains (comprehensiveness, shared decision-making, self-management support) predicted greater initiation of treatment in Y2. Among those who received depression treatment in Y1 ( n = 22,749), positive or moderate experiences in four domains (comprehensiveness, care coordination, medication decision-making, self-management support) predicted greater continuation of treatment in Y2. Conclusions In a national PCMH setting, patient experiences with integrated care, including care coordination, comprehensiveness, involvement in shared decision-making, and self-management support predicted patients’ subsequent initiation and continuation of depression treatment over time—a relationship that could affect physical and mental health outcomes.