Improving primary care treatment of depression among patients with diabetes mellitus: the design of the pathways study

Abstract

This paper describes the methodology of a population based study of primary care patients with diabetes mellitus enrolled in a health maintenance organization. The first goal was to determine the prevalence and impact of depression in patients with diabetes. The second goal was to randomize approximately 300 patients with diabetes and major depression and/or dysthymia in a trial to test the effectiveness of a collaborative care intervention in improving quality of care and health outcomes among patients with diabetes and depression.