Depression-focused interpersonal counseling and the use of healthcare services after myocardial infarction.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose for this study was to evaluate the association between depression-focused interpersonal counseling (IPC) and the use of healthcare services in Finland after myocardial infarction (MI). DESIGN AND METHODS: The measures were done at 6 and 18 months after MI in the randomized intervention (n= 51) and the control group (n= 52). FINDINGS: There was less use of somatic specialized healthcare services in the intervention group from 6 to 18 months after hospital discharge, and with intervention patients who had no other long-term disease during 6 months. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Confirmation of possible benefits of IPC for practice calls for more specific studies.