IMHR-Funded Scientists

Scientists and Research Funded by the
Institute for Mental Health Research

RECENTLY FUNDED RESEARCH: https://www.imhr.org/instituteupdates

SCIENTIST SPOTLIGHT

Researcher: Karen Weihs, MD, Medical Director of Psychosocial Support and PsychoOncology Services, Arizona Cancer Center
Name of study: Depression Care in Cancer Patients - Adapting a Model from Primary Care
Additional funding received after IMHR grant: $1,992,000, Merck Foundation

Latter project name: Expanding Patient-Centered Cancer Care for Underserved Patients in Southern Arizona, Goal #3 Disseminate Evidence-based Psychosocial and Other Supportive Care (direct extension of the IMHR funded study)

Outcomes / Benefits to Patients:
This IMHR-funded research tested the effects of renovating the cancer care delivery system to detect and treat depression in cancer patients. Initiation of routine screening increased detection of need for depression treatment by 100%. Oncologists worked with onsite counselor/care-managers to initiate treatment of depression with medication(s) and/or counseling and to monitor the outcomes that were reviewed weekly with a psychiatrist to adjust and optimize treatment. Compared to usual care, depression remission increased from 33% to 70% of patients treated. A 5-year implementation project is currently underway to make this a sustainable service, along with extending care to underserved and Spanish-speaking only patients at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. The project is ongoing with additional funding provided by the Merck Foundation to the Alliance for Cancer Care to 5 US centers, of which UA is one.