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Do Latino and Non-Latino White Medicaid-Enrolled Adults Differ in Utilization of Evidence-Based Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder?

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Abstract

Although evidence-based practice guidelines have been developed to achieve greater consistency and quality in mental health care, insufficient research exists on implementing these guidelines among different racial/ethnic groups and the impact of guideline adherence on treatment outcomes. This study compared mental health care received by community dwelling Latino and non-Latino White Medicaid enrollees in Florida with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) and examined predictors of adherence to American Psychiatric Association (APA) guidelines for the treatment of MDD. Latinos were more likely than Whites to receive guideline adherent treatment (OR = 1.21, P < .0001). Enrollees receiving combination drug therapy were most likely to receive treatment consistent with APA guidelines (OR = 4.25, P < .0001). Despite research demonstrating the efficacy of evidence–based practices, many study participants did not receive guideline adherent treatment. Policies and practices targeted at increasing adherence to approved guidelines and improving treatment outcomes are recommended.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration under Contract MED049.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1419, Tampa, FL, 33612-3807, USA

    Marion A. Becker, Dinorah Martinez-Tyson & Joshua DiGennaro

  2. Department of Aging and Mental Health Disparities, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1400, Tampa, FL, 33612-3807, USA

    Dinorah Martinez-Tyson & Joshua DiGennaro

  3. Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Ezra Ochshorn

Authors
  1. Marion A. Becker
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  2. Dinorah Martinez-Tyson
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  3. Joshua DiGennaro
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  4. Ezra Ochshorn
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Correspondence to Marion A. Becker.

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Becker, M.A., Martinez-Tyson, D., DiGennaro, J. et al. Do Latino and Non-Latino White Medicaid-Enrolled Adults Differ in Utilization of Evidence-Based Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder?. J Immigrant Minority Health 13, 1048–1054 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-011-9508-z

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