Clinical Practice Guidelines for Depression in Primary Care: What Social Workers Need to Know

Abstract

In April 1993, the government issued guidelines for the treatment of major depression in primary care, stressing a pharmacological approach. Although several professional associations have endorsed these guidelines, the American Psychological Association has declined to do so. Primary care physicians consult with social workers on mental health issues, so social workers need to be aware of the questions that have been raised in the context of the controversy over the guidelines. An educated position on the controversy can only come from familiarity with the empirical literature on the research-based benefits and costs of drug treatment versus psychotherapy for major depression. This article offers the needed literature review, after first summarizing the nature of the depression-guidelines controversy.