Patients' experiences of receiving collaborative care for the treatment of depression in the UK: a qualitative investigation

Objective We explored the experiences of patients who received treatment for depression during a ‘phase II’ platform trial of collaborative care in the UK. Method Semi-structured interviews were used to obtain information from 13 patients receiving collaborative care. Patients from a range of general practitioner (GP) practices within the trial were purposively sampled. The constant comparative approach within a framework analysis was used to identify emerging concepts and key themes. Results Three distinct themes in people's experience of collaborative care were identified: (1) the process of collaborative care; (2) the content of collaborative care; and (3) staying well. These themes were set against a backdrop in which patients described how they had been struggling with lowmood. Our central therapeutic ingredients of information giving, behavioural activation and medication management were supported by patients. Patients expressed reservations about the rigid inflexibility of telephone-based treatment. Conclusions While most of the protocol elements were supported by patients, we have been able to amend our protocol to allow for greater delivery flexibility and more attention to the therapeutic alliance and relapse prevention. We are now testing this in a multicentre randomised controlled trial.