In an article today from the US (see News section of www.IamBackFromTheBrink.com ) several employers from Minnesota have banded together to try to address the high cost of depression in their workforce. Called the “Bridges to Excellence” program, their health insurance companies are asking doctors to be accountable for their results. Patients will be asked to fill out a 9 question survey at the start to assess the severity of their depression. They will then have to redo the survey at 6 months and 12 months. If the patient is recovered after 12 months, the doctor will receive a $100 bonus for their treatment. They then plan to review results after two years with a view to directing patients to the more successful doctors.

This action is a direct result of the cost of depression in the workplace. Although the structure of health delivery in Australia is quite different, I think it is inevitable (and healthy) to have doctors accountable for their treatment. There would then be a much higher motivation to instigate evidence based treatment. In talking recently with Professor Gordon Parker from the Blackdog Institute, I know that he believes that many doctors currently treat depression via an outdated model. Measuring outcomes along the recovery path (or lack of it is a good thing)

May the best in life and love and happiness be ahead of you.

Graeme

Tags: , anxiety, depression, workplace depression, workplace stress