A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Screening and Brief Counselling for Elderly Patients With Psychological Problems in Primary Care.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to test if screening followed by brief problem-solving counselling by primary care doctors can improve the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of elderly patients with previously undiagnosed psychological problems. It will also find out the effects of undiagnosed psychological problems on HRQOL and consultation rates of elderly patients.

Design, Setting & Subjects: This is a prospective single-blinded randomised controlled trial on 450 patients aged 60 or above attending a Government General Outpatient Clinic in Hong Kong, who have been screened for psychological problems.

Methods: Elderly patients attending the General Outpatient Department of the Ap Lei Chau Clinic who are not known to have the diagnosis of psychological problems with the Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale (HADS) were screened in order to recruit 300 subjects who are screened positive for undiagnosed psychological problems will be randomised into the counselling or no-counselling groups, and 150 subjects who are screened negative for psychological problems will be selected as normal controls

Interventions: The counselling group will receive brief problem-solving counselling from a trained primary care doctor in addition to their usual medical care; the no-counselling group will receive general health education and their usual medical care; and the normal control group will continue with their usual care only.

Main Outcome Measures: Health-related quality of life measured by the SF-36, the HADS scores and consultation rates. The baseline and changes in outcomes of the three groups will be compared at 0, 6, 12, 36 and 52 weeks after screening.