Cross‐generational comparison of dispensed pharmacotherapy for depression
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 1 May 2009
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare predictors of receipt of recommended first‐line pharmacotherapy in three generational cohorts of patients with new episode depression.
Design/methodology/approach
This retrospective database cohort study included adolescent, adult and senior Quebec Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan beneficiaries with new episode depression, who were diagnosed by primary care physicians or psychiatrists (October 2000 to March 2001) and received pharmacotherapy. Receipt of recommended first‐line pharmacotherapy, based on the first psychoactive medication dispensed following the depression diagnosis, was defined according to Canadian guidelines.
Findings
Receipt of first‐line pharmacotherapy was documented in 52 percent, 71 percent and 50 percent of adolescents, adults and seniors, respectively. Among adolescents and seniors, diagnosis by a psychiatrist was associated with a lower likelihood of receipt of recommended pharmacotherapy. Adolescent females and senior males were more likely and adults with comorbidity were less likely to receive recommended pharmacotherapy. For all age groups, having a physician who both diagnosed the depression and prescribed the initial pharmacotherapy was associated with an increased likelihood of receiving recommended pharmacotherapy. Relational continuity of care influenced receipt of recommended first‐line pharmacotherapy. Gender differences in treatment were found in adolescents and seniors.
Originality/value
This paper identifies predictors of receipt of recommended first‐line pharmacotherapy in three generational cohorts of patients with new episode depression.
Keywords
Citation
Sewitch, M.J., Bexton, B., Rahme, E., Galarneau, S. and Blais, R. (2009), "Cross‐generational comparison of dispensed pharmacotherapy for depression", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 300-312. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526860910953566
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited