Outreach to Reduce Depression Disparities

Previous research by Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) investigators and others demonstrates that online messaging and other telehealth technologies can effectively and efficiently address premature discontinuation of depression treatment. These interventions, however, have focused on adherence after treatment initiation and have been tested primarily in non-Hispanic white populations. Less is known about the acceptability and effectiveness of different communication modalities (online messaging, mailed letters, telephone) among racial and ethnic minority populations. Implementation of electronic-Health (eHealth) technologies must take care not to exacerbate health disparities.

This clinical trial involves a pilot trial to evaluate a population-based outreach program to improve rates of depression treatment initiation among traditionally underserved racial and ethnic groups. This pilot work intends to inform a subsequent full-scale pragmatic trial to examine impact on health disparities.

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Key information

Conditions

Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kaiser Permanente, Hawaii Market, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

New diagnosis of major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder at a primary care visit ("new" defined as no depression diagnosis, psychotherapy visit or filled antidepressant prescription in the prior year)
Continuously enrolled in the participating health system for 365 days prior to the eligible diagnosis (to assure capture of prior diagnoses or treatments)
Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression score of 10 or more within 14 days before to 7 days after the eligible diagnosis
No filled prescription for any antidepressant medication OR psychotherapy visit attended within 30 days of the eligible diagnosis*
No recorded PHQ-9 depression score less than 5 since the eligible diagnosis
At least 18 years of age or older

Exclusion criteria

Diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder in the prior 2 years
Not registered to use Electronic Health Record (EHR) patient portal
Previously requested to not be contacted for research

Treatment and study plan

Outreach messaging

Behavioral

Participants will receive outreach messages via health care system secure messaging and/or phone following a new diagnosis of depression made in primary care if the participant has failed to initiate treatment (pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy) within 30 days of new diagnosis.

Primary outcomes

Number of Participants With Initiation of Formal Depression Treatment

Time frame: within 60 days of randomization

Defined as either at least one filled prescription for any antidepressant medication or attending at least one individual psychotherapy visit.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kaiser Permanente

Other

Collaborators

Henry Ford Health System

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2023
Primary completion: 2024
Study completion: 2024
First posted: Oct 14, 2022
Registry last updated: May 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed