[Telephone coaching for depression].

BACKGROUND

Depression is associated with a substantial utilization of resources in the German healthcare system. A typical symptom in depression is loss of drive, which possibly contributes to non-adherence and increased costs.

OBJECTIVE

The study is based on routine healthcare data and tested the hypothesis that telephone coaching in cases of depression leads to a reduction in total healthcare costs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on approximately 80 covariates and using propensity score matching, a total of 1586 persons who had received telephone coaching for depression and covered by a German statutory health insurance fund were matched to a comparable cohort of patients with depression to whom telephone coaching had not been provided.

RESULTS

Within the study period of 12 months (3rd quarter 2012-4th quarter 2013) a positive program effect was observed for the intervention group by a significant reduction of total healthcare costs (2332 € vs. 2626 €, p = 0.0015) resulting in total savings to the statutory health insurance fund of 415,532 €. Investment costs amounted to 256,683.42 € leading to a return on investment of 1.62 € (total savings/total investment). The coaching program was well accepted by patients.

CONCLUSION

Telephone coaching for depression was able to significantly reduce total healthcare expenditure and the intervention was well accepted by patients.