Investigating the Effectiveness of Telepsychiatry for Treating Major Depression in a Chinese American Nursing Home

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The current use of telepsychiatry, or psychiatric care using videoconferencing, is very limited. The present study investigates the use of this method with a depressed Chinese American population in a nursing home. It is believed that this population can benefit from telepsychiatric treatment when used in collaboration with the primary care they receive in the nursing home.

Detailed Description
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Individuals at the South Cove Manor nursing home will be referred to this study if they are experiencing depression. After meeting with the Principal Investigator (a psychiatrist), he will collaborate with the primary care physician and the nursing home staff to establish a treatment plan for the patient. Videoconferencing will be used by the P.I. for regular psychiatric visits with the patient as well as meetings with the nursing home staff to coordinate care for the patient. After collaboration between the two groups, treatment suggestions will be given to the patient's primary care physician (PCP) to implement in the primary care setting. The patient's symptomology, mood, satisfaction of life and side effects of medication will be recorded regularly to measure the effects of treatment for analysis.

Official Title
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Feasibility and Effectiveness of Telepsychiatry for Collaborative Management of Chinese Americans With Psychiatric Disorders in a Nursing Home

Conditions
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Major Depressive Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Psychotropic medication (at discretion of psychiatrist)
* Behavioral: Collaborative psychiatric and primary medical care


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Clinical diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder Patient at South Cove Manor Nursing Home Referred by nursing staff for psychiatric consultation Exclusion Criteria: Not competent to participate in psychiatric interviews

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Drug: Psychotropic medication (at discretion of psychiatrist)|Antidepressant medication, prescribed at discretion of psychiatrist|
|Behavioral: Collaborative psychiatric and primary medical care|Regular care visits from health workers|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Mean Scores on Clinical Global Impressions | Minimum score - 1 (better outcome) Maximum score - 7 (worse outcome) | Baseline, 30 days or 60 days (length depended on clinical needs of patients) | 
| Patient/Family Telepsychiatry Service Satisfaction Survey | Patients' (or their family members' for those who had severe cognitive deficits) satisfaction with the telepsychiatry services were surveyed using a satisfaction questionnaire specifically designed for this study. The satisfaction questionnaire is a scale with three choices: not satisfied, satisfied, and highly satisfied. | 30 days or 60 days (length depended on clinical needs of patients) | 
| Nurse Telepsychiatry Services Satisfaction Questionnaire | The charge nurse's satisfaction with the telepsychiatry services were surveyed using a satisfaction questionnaire specifically designed for this study. The satisfaction questionnaire is a scale with three choices: not satisfied, satisfied, and highly satisfied. | 30 days or 60 days (length depended on clinical needs of patients) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Major Depressive Disorder, Telepsychiatry, Chinese American, Nursing Home