NCT07390331

A Patient Activation Approach to Implementing Depression Treatment in Cardiac Patients

A Theory-Informed, Brief Patient Activation and Motivational Interviewing Approach to Implementing Depression Treatment in Cardiac Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 200 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Columbia University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study, which is being conducted as part of a Quality Improvement (QI) Initiative at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will test whether delivering the iHeart DepCare tool increases real world reach and adoption of depression treatment among CHD patients. As part of the QI Initiative, Clinic Navigators will administer and record (in EPIC) depression screening in advance of primary care and cardiology appointments. Eligible patients with elevated depressive symptoms will be randomized to receive usual care vs. the iHeart DepCare tool in conjunction with brief motivational, technical and navigation support per patient preference. Aim 1: To test the effect of iHeart DepCare on depression treatment optimization (primary outcome) among coronary heart disease patients with elevated depressive symptoms. Aim 2: To explore the effect of iHeart DepCare on implementation outcomes, including provider referrals, among coronary heart disease patients with elevated depressive symptoms.

Detailed description

Depression is common in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality. Evidence-based mental health treatment improves depressive symptoms and quality of life, yet few CHD patients engage in treatment. The investigator previously tested the efficacy of an implementation strategy centered around a patient activation and psychoeducation tool (iHeart DepCare) for improving depressive symptoms and uptake of depression treatment in CHD patients. The research now expands to test the real-world effectiveness of the iHeart DepCare tool in cardiology and primary care settings.

Conditions

• Depression and CVD

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	iHeart Depcare tool	The iHeart DepCare tool is an electronic patient activation and psychoeducation tool (available in English and Spanish) designed to bridge depression screening with treatment. The tool includes: 1) a description of depressive symptoms; 2) a checklist of behavioral risk factors; 3) an animation of a CVD patient going through the process of symptom recognition, help seeking, and treatment completion following a CVD event; 4) psychoeducation videos; 5) depression treatment selection support (adapted to include behavioral risk factor preferences); and 6) additional cardiac resources the patient can reference. Patients may receive brief motivational interviewing as well as technical/navigational support per patient preference to reinforce learning. Patient treatment preferences are sent via EPIC to the mental health and treating providers.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-03
• Primary completion: 2028-05-30
• Completion: 2029-01-31
• First posted: 2026-02-05
• Last updated: 2026-03-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States