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The WORC Project Valuing Employee Health |
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Background
Originating with Harvard University, Boston (USA), and modified to be relevant to our Australian culture, the WORC Project is being conducted through the University of Queensland as the Australian component of the international study. Primary funding has been provided by The Department of Health and Ageing (Mental Health Strategy Branch), Queensland Health, beyondblue and the Australian Rotary Health Research Foundation.
The WORC Project aims to identify employees with symptoms of depression, who are not in treatment for their symptoms then, using cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing techniques, encourage these employees to seek advice from a mental health professional.
The specific aim of this project is to test the hypothesis that; the cost of proactive screening and treatment of depression in the labour force 1. improves depressive symptoms, which in turn, 2. increases employee productivity resulting in a net benefit to employers and society.
Disease management programs for depression have not been evaluated in the Australian population. Evidence from the USA suggests that the number of people who get treatment for their depressive symptoms increases if information is provided (by a clinical psychologist) which explains the symptoms of depression, the options of treatment and which provides encouragement to seek help. We have called a psychologist who helps people manage their treatment plans a ‘Care Manager’.
In Australia only 34% of people with depression seek medical care. Thus, the third aim of this research is to determine if this type of approach to managing depression (Care Manager) is more effective than the usual care in Australians.
The initial data collection has now been completed and all participants in the Care Manager arm of the study have completed the protocol. The data set is currently being interrogated to produce publications.
To Contact Us Phone: 1800-682-699 (within Australia) +61 7 3271 8658 Fax: +61 7 3271 8698
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