The goal of this proposal is to increase our understanding about why many rural people with depression do not receive treatment despite the overwhelming evidence of treatment benefits. In order to explore rural- urban and intra-rural differences, we propose to use a random telephone survey to identify a cohort of 480 rural and urban people with major depression, dysthymia, or substantial depressive symptoms. We will administer a baseline interview to this cohort to measure predictors of use and a 6-month follow-up interview to determine use of services for depression in the general medical or specialty sector. Severity of depression and indicators of general functioning will be measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. This research design will allow us to accomplish three specific aims. First, we will examine whether rural people are less likely than urban people to seek care and receive appropriate treatment for depression. In addition to rural-urban comparisons, this will be the first study to characterize the extent of intra-rural variation in the delivery of mental health services. Findings from the first specific aim will demonstrate the extent to which rural people are failing to receive professional help for mental health problems which can be effectively addressed. Second, using Aday and Andersen's model of access to care, we will identify policy-relevant predictors of use. Building on existing cross-sectional studies conducted primarily in urban populations, we will prospectively identify enabling factors which predict use of mental health services for depressed individuals regardless of the community in which they reside, and factors which are particularly relevant for depressed rural residents. We will also examine whether depressed people in greatest need are more likely to receive appropriate care in both rural and urban areas. Third, we will compare how outcomes change over time between rural and urban individuals who did not use services for depression. We will examine whether factors which mediate recovery from depression differ between rural and urban people, placing rural people who do not seek care at greater risk of poor outcomes than their urban counterparts. Findings from the study will provide important evidence that can be used in the design of intervention studies to improve the mental health of rural Americans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH049116-02
Application #
2248668
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRCM)
Project Start
1991-09-30
Project End
1995-08-31
Budget Start
1992-09-30
Budget End
1993-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Little Rock
State
AR
Country
United States
Zip Code
72205
Fortney, J; Rost, K; Zhang, M et al. (2001) The relationship between quality and outcomes in routine depression care. Psychiatr Serv 52:56-62
Fortney, J; Thill, J C; Zhang, M et al. (2001) Provider choice and utility loss due to selective contracting in rural and urban areas. Med Care Res Rev 58:60-75
Rost, K; Nutting, P A; Smith, J et al. (2000) Designing and implementing a primary care intervention trial to improve the quality and outcome of care for major depression. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 22:66-77
Rost, K; Nutting, P; Smith, J et al. (2000) The role of competing demands in the treatment provided primary care patients with major depression. Arch Fam Med 9:150-4
Nutting, P A; Rost, K; Smith, J et al. (2000) Competing demands from physical problems: effect on initiating and completing depression care over 6 months. Arch Fam Med 9:1059-64
Rost, K; Fortney, J; Zhang, M et al. (1999) Treatment of depression in rural Arkansas: policy implications for improving care. J Rural Health 15:308-15
Fortney, J; Rost, K; Zhang, M et al. (1999) The impact of geographic accessibility on the intensity and quality of depression treatment. Med Care 37:884-93
Rost, K; Zhang, M; Fortney, J et al. (1998) Persistently poor outcomes of undetected major depression in primary care. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 20:12-20
Rost, K; Zhang, M; Fortney, J et al. (1998) Expenditures for the treatment of major depression. Am J Psychiatry 155:883-8
Fortney, J; Rost, K; Zhang, M (1998) A joint choice model of the decision to seek depression treatment and choice of provider sector. Med Care 36:307-20

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