Only One-Third of Patients Prescribed Antidepressants Receive Proper Follow-Up

by | 2 comments

This is something many of us knew already, but research is bearing it out: primary care physicians often do not do the proper follow-up of patients to whom they've prescribed antidepressants.

New research published in the January 2010 issue of Psychiatric Services concluded that "Patients receiving their initial prescription from psychiatrists were nearly five times as likely as patients receiving their initial prescription from primary care providers to receive guideline-concordant follow-up care."

In all, of the 4,000+ patients reviewed, only 31% received follow-up visits that are in keeping with accepted guidelines. Goodness gracious. That can't be good.

2 Comments

  2. Andrea
    Andrea on January 22, 2010 at 6:24 am

    What *is* proper follow up procedure for antidepressant use?

    Reply

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