Practical Strategies for Antidepressant Selection, Dosing and Augmentation in Major Depressive Disorder
| Target Professions: | DO, MD, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Associate/Assistant |
| Target Specialties: | Psychiatry, Psychology |
| Credits Available: | 4.5 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, 4.5 ACPE contact hours, MOC Points Available |
In the United States (U.S.), major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating illness with a high burden of disease. Effective management of depression is therefore critical, yet achieving and sustaining remission remains challenging in practice. While many patients respond to initial antidepressant therapy, only a minority achieve full remission of symptoms with a first-line treatment. Clinical trials and meta-analyses show that remission rates with a first SSRI/SNRI trial are only on the order of 30–45%, and response (≥50% symptom improvement) occurs in roughly 40–60% of patients.8 Therefore, modern depression management must aim not just for symptom relief, but for full functional recovery. This educational initiative establishes impactful small group interactions among highly qualified psychiatric care providers that will, through a variety of collaborative educational experiences, help them optimize the care of their patients with MDD.
CME/CE Accreditation Information
Itinerary
The following questions are intended to assess your knowledge and practice of key aspects in the management of patients with major depressive disorder.
This module will address one of the most common challenges in depression management: what to do when first-line therapy doesn't achieve remission.
This module will focus on the often-overlooked residual symptoms of major depressive disorder, particularly cognitive and functional impairments remaining after mood symptoms improve.
This module will explore the pharmacologic differences among antidepressants that allow us to personalize treatment selection.
This module will explore the evidence for adjunctive interventions beyond traditional antidepressants.
After completing the modules, answer these questions to assess mastery of MDD care: dosing, switching and augmentation; measurement-guided cognitive and functional assessment; agent selection by side effect profiles, and comorbidity; integration of adjuncts / emerging therapies.
This live group discussion will review a case involving a 36-year-old woman, high functioning but symptomatic (MDD, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, loss of libido). We will also address any questions you may have regarding the baseline and final assessments and the self-study modules.
Part 1
This activity features a 36-year-old lawyer and mother with chronic MDD, anxiety, insomnia, and multiple SSRI/SNRI failures. Explore next-line pharmacologic options and augmentation strategies.
This activity features a 44-year-old teacher with recurrent MDD and partial response to sertraline plus CBT who reports persistent cognitive slowing at work and prioritizes clearer thinking over further mood change.
Based on your participation in this curriculum, you will develop an action plan to improve the care of your patients with MDD.
This live group discussion will review a case involving a 44-year-old teacher with recurrent MDD. We will also review your submissions on the Patient Case Challenge and Action Plans.
Part 2
Interested in becoming a Group Leader?
Ideal group leaders should be psychiatrists and psychiatric APPs (NPs, PAs) involved in the management of patients with major depressive disorder. Apply Now
