Martha Tews

Date of Award

Winter 12-13-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

One in five Americans takes at least one psychotropic drug. Antidepressants are one of the three most prescribed psychotropics. Americans spent $11 Billion on antidepressants in 2010 (Smith, 2012). There are a few issues that are possibility contributing to the rise in antidepressant prescriptions and use. One possible reason there is an increase in antidepressants is because primary care physicians prescribe antidepressants. Primary care physicians usually are not as informed as psychiatrists about mental illness and they do not know about other evidence-based treatment options that can help the patient (Tami, Levit, Buck, 2009). There are NQF endorsed measures explaining how often a patient should be seen when they are taken antidepressant. Insufficient monitoring of patients can lead to renewal of prescriptions that are unnecessary (Practice Guidelines, 2010). Another possibility for the rise in antidepressant use is that there is more focus on medication and less emphasis on alternative treatments such as psychotherapy (Pies, 2010). This study was conducted to determine whether or not inadequacies in prescribing methods are resulting in over-prescribing of antidepressants. The results revealed that psychiatrists prescribe more antidepressants than primary care physicians; however primary care physicians do play a large role in the treatment of mental health. Participants had better outcomes when they were seen by their health care provider between four to eight times a year. In the study, 27% of participants did not receive any other form of treatment and a majority of them were seen by a primary care physician. It is recommended to improve the treatment of depression and improve prescribing practices of antidepressants.

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