NICE Depression Guidance - what's new?

Co-chair: Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham (@CizCG)

Professor of General Practice Research, Keele University and General Practitioner, Manchester‌

Email: c.a.chew-graham@keele.ac.uk

My areas of interest and expertise include the primary care management of people with mental health problems, multiple health conditions and unexplained symptoms; and the mental health and wellbeing of clinicians. I have qualitative research methods expertise, drawing on theories from social sciences and psychology, but always with a focus on clinical practice – trying to answer questions that are important to patients, their families, health care professionals and the NHS.

I led a qualitative study in summer 2020 exploring the perspectives of people who had prolonged symptoms and acute COVID-19 infection (Long Covid). This was the first published study reporting narratives of people living with Long Covid.

I continue to conduct research into the lived experiences of Long Covid, and I have delivered training to 100s of primary care practitioners to raise awareness of Long Covid.

I chair the RCGP ‘Research Paper of the Year’ panel. I was Chair of the Society of Academic Primary Care 2019-2022.

I was a member of the NICE Clinical Guideline Development Group Depression (update) - work which directly impacts on commissioning decisions and patient care. I am Editor-in-Chief of the journal Health Expectations.

I was awarded the President’s Medal by RCPsych in 2021. Awarded James McKenzie Lecture by RCGP 2023.

Article

Depression in adults: treatment and management. NICE guideline [NG222]. 29 June 2022.

Discussion questions

• Why are the definitions of depression changing? How helpful is this?
• “Matched Care” has replaced “Stepped care”. Does it matter?
• What are the management options for people with less severe depression? Are they available to our patients?
• What are management options for people with more severe depression? How do we explain them to our patients and make shared decisions about sign-posting and referral?
• Prescribing of antidepressants is rising. Why? What is the problem?
• How do we help our patients reduce and stop antidepressants?