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Little evidence guides depression treatment for cancer patients. To examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of supplemental care provided by nurse care managers, researchers in the U.K. focused on a heterogeneous group of depressed cancer patients with a prognosis of at least 6 months.
After a two-stage screening and diagnostic interview, 200 patients meeting DSM criteria for major depression were randomized to usual care plus the intervention or to usual care only; another 134 patients refused to participate. The nurses delivered 3 months of psychoeducation (including promoting adherence to antidepressant regimens) and problem-solving therapy (to improve coping skills) and communicated with primary care physicians and oncologists; …