Collaborative depression care adapted to women's health settings appears to improve depressive and functional outcomes and quality of depression care, according to a report online in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology. Researchers at the University of Washington randomized 102 women to 12 months of collaborative depression management and 103 women to usual obstetric care at two obstetric care sites. All of the women met criteria for major depression, dysthymia, or both. Participants were age 39 on average, and 56 percent had a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder.

The collaborative care model is team-based care that involves psychiatrists, other clinicians, and depression care managers who meet weekly to review patient progress and provide treatment recommendations. The care manager follows up with patients.