The study describes Harrisonburg (Va.) Community Health Center’s work to improve the efficacy of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment for depression — an evidence-based approach to find and treat disorders linked to substance abuse.
The researchers implemented several interventions at the health center, including team meetings, a tool to help patients who screen positive for depression to share what matters most to them and a tracking log to help providers document follow-up phone calls and visits.
The researchers used surveys, charts and registry data to analyze the interventions’ effect on population health. They found the provision of evidence-based care rose to 71.4 percent and adherence to follow-up increased from 33.3 percent to 60 percent.
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