Impact of a work-focused intervention on the productivity and symptoms of employees with depression.

Objective: To test a new program's effectiveness in reducing depression's work burden.

Methods: A brief telephonic program to improve work functioning was tested in an early-stage randomized controlled trial involving 79 Maine State Government employees who were screened in for depression and at-work limitations (treatment group = 59; usual care group = 27). Group differences in baseline to follow-up change scores on the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ), WLQ Absence Module, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 depression severity scale were tested with analysis of covariance.

Bringing wellness to the small employer.

Historically the predominant models of programming have evolved from mid to large size employer settings. Yet the majority of employees in any given community work for organizations that employ fewer than 500 employees. These small employers also constitute a disproportionate majority of all employers.