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Collaborative care model efficacious for individuals with both psychiatric, medical conditions

A recently completed 3-year initiative indicated efficacy of an evidence-based collaborative care management model designed to improve care for patients with both depression, diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease.

The Care of Mental, Physical and Substance-use Syndromes (COMPASS) initiative, funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, was implemented among 181 medical groups, 171 clinics and 3,300 clinicians in eight U.S. states.

The initiative was led by the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI), with partners Community Health Plan of Washington, Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Mayo Clinic Health System, Michigan Center for Clinical Systems Improvement, Mount Auburn Cambridge Independent Practice Association (Massachusetts); Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, Advancing Integrated Mental Health Solutions (AIMS) Center at the University of Washington, and HealthPartners Institute for Education and Research.

Preliminary results indicate a 40% improvement in depression and 20% improvement in diabetes and hypertension among patients enrolled in COMPASS for more than 4 months.

Another key outcome of COMPASS is an intervention guide that provides clinical workflow and supporting information for primary care systems interested in implementing the initiative. The guide includes evidence, best practices and links to recommended tools.

“The COMPASS model was implemented and spread across medical groups with differing organizational structures, cultures and care delivery processes,” Sanne Magnan, MD, PhD, president and CEO of ICSI, said in a press release. “With the help of these tools and resources developed by COMPASS partners, this and similar models could be implemented broadly across the country, helping the health care community take an important step toward addressing the whole person and creating better outcomes.”

For more information:

To access the intervention guide, visit www.icsi.org/health_initiatives/compass/.