Spill the 5-HTea: Pharmacologic Considerations in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder Program Packet

In the Baptist Health Foundation Center for Medical and Surgical Care at Princeton Baptist Medical Center, a high proportion of patients receive treatment for major depressive disorder. The ambulatory care staff, including nurses, attending and resident physicians, pharmacists, and social workers collaborate as a team to best manage patients with chronic mental health disorders, including depression. Current guidelines for depression state that a disconnect between the patient, provider, and their current therapies can lead to diminished treatment success. Therefore, it is important that all healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of depression have a working knowledge of patient-specific goals and the interventions being provided.

On a daily basis, the treatment of depression is frequently discussed among the clinic team, including appropriate product selection and dosing of antidepressants. Since there are multiple mental health disorders, medication classes, and multimodal approaches to treatment, the primary objective of this presentation will be to increase the staff’s knowledge on the role of different pharmacological treatment options for patients with major depressive disorder. The following points will be discussed: the pathophysiology of depression, screening and diagnosis, medication mechanisms of action, administration, side effects, monitoring considerations, and resources to assist in the long-term management of the disease.

Lauren Campisi and Luke Hentrich, fourth-year pharmacy students at the Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, will be assisting with the development and delivery of this program.