We found indications that a timely recognition, a specific diagnosis and adequately given and supported interventions could have a favourable effect on the course of the disorder and could reduce the risk of chronicity and relapse. The aim of this continuing education course is to improve recognition, diagnosis and treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders. The focus is on enhancing their competence by means of discussions and training of protocols for recognition, diagnostis and treatment. General practitioners were involved in the development of these protocols. In this Manual the overhead sheets and case examples are also included.
Videotapes are availabe for each module.
A coursebook in which the detection, diagnostics and treatment are considerated. The learning aids like a screening questionnaire, symptom diagrams and treatment protocols are also in the course book. The central hypothesis is that competence, process of care and patient outcome are statistically significantly and clinically better after training than before. The aim of this project is to develop and evaluate treatments in a randomized clinical trial to prevent relapse with patients who have been succesfully treated for depression. Patients will be stratified by anti-depressive medication status.