Depression Care Management for Chinese Americans in Primary Care: A Feasibility Pilot Study

This study describes a culturally relevant intervention using a collaborative depression care model to integrate mental health
and primary care services for depressed low income Chinese-Americans at a community health center. A total of 6,065 patients
were screened for depression. Of the 341 who screened positive, 57 participated and were randomly assigned to receive either
enhanced physician care with care management (32) or enhanced physician care only (25). All enrolled participants were assessed
at baseline and 4 monthly follow-up visits for depression, physical and mental health functioning, and perceived stigma toward
receiving depression care, to determine the impact, if any, of their mental health treatment. Both groups reported significant
reduction of depressive symptoms and improved mental health functioning from baseline to follow-up assessments although there
was no significant difference between the two groups. Although the study found no advantage to adding the care management
component in the treatment of depression, screening and assertive treatment of immigrant Chinese Americans who tend to underutilize
mental health services is important and consistent with the increased adoption of team based care models in patient centered
medical homes. High refusal rates for enrollment in the study have implications for future study designs for this group.