Follow-up Evaluation of Treatment for Anxiety and Depression Provided in a University-based Primary Care Clinic

Although integrated primary care psychology services are becoming increasingly common, the literature lacks adequate research support for the longitudinal durability of treatment effects following the conclusion of brief primary care interventions. This study served as a follow-up program evaluation of psychological services for depression and anxiety provided at the Medical College of Virginia’s Ambulatory Care Center in Richmond, Virginia. Data were collected on 47 adult primary care patients who received treatment for depression and/or anxiety between six and 18 months prior to the follow-up telephone call. Data were collected on the trajectory of depression scores throughout and following treatment, treatment received by patients in the interim, and reasons provided by patients for discontinuing treatment. Analyses of these data indicated that primary care psychology services were effective in reducing patient anxiety and depression as measured by the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 respectively, even when controlling for additional treatment in the interim, and that patients as a group continued to improve over time following the conclusion of treatment. These preliminary results should be interpreted with caution, however, due to the study’s small sample size and lack of a control group. Study limitations, strengths, and future directions are addressed