Outreach to Reduce Depression Disparities

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Depression
• Interventions: Behavioral: Outreach messaging

• Registration Number: NCT05580406
• Lead Sponsor: Kaiser Permanente

Brief Summary

Previous research by Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) investigators and others demonstrates that online messaging and other telehealth technologies can effectively and efficiently address premature discontinuation of depression treatment. These interventions, however, have focused on adherence after treatment initiation and have been tested primarily in non-Hispanic white populations. Less is known about the acceptability and effectiveness of different communication modalities (online messaging, mailed letters, telephone) among racial and ethnic minority populations. Implementation of electronic-Health (eHealth) technologies must take care not to exacerbate health disparities.

This clinical trial involves a pilot trial to evaluate a population-based outreach program to improve rates of depression treatment initiation among traditionally underserved racial and ethnic groups. This pilot work intends to inform a subsequent full-scale pragmatic trial to examine impact on health disparities.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2022-10-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-10-11
• Study First Posted: 2022-10-14
• Study Start: 2023-04-13
• Status Verified: 2024-10
• Primary Completion: 2024-12-10
• Study Completion: 2024-12-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-03
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 322

Inclusion Criteria

• New diagnosis of major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder at a primary care visit ("new" defined as no depression diagnosis, psychotherapy visit or filled antidepressant prescription in the prior year)
• Continuously enrolled in the participating health system for 365 days prior to the eligible diagnosis (to assure capture of prior diagnoses or treatments)
• Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression score of 10 or more within 14 days before to 7 days after the eligible diagnosis
• No filled prescription for any antidepressant medication OR psychotherapy visit attended within 30 days of the eligible diagnosis*
• No recorded PHQ-9 depression score less than 5 since the eligible diagnosis
• At least 18 years of age or older

Exclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder in the prior 2 years
• Not registered to use Electronic Health Record (EHR) patient portal
• Previously requested to not be contacted for research

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Outreach Messaging	Outreach messaging	Participants in the outreach messaging arm will receive messages via online secure message system (embedded within the health care record) and/or telephone.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Initiation of formal depression treatment	within 60 days of randomization	Defined as either at least one filled prescription for any antidepressant medication or attending at least one individual psychotherapy visit.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Kaiser Permanente, Hawaii Market; 🇺🇸 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Henry Ford Health; 🇺🇸 Detroit, Michigan, United States