Depression in the Workplace: Getting back to Work and being Productive

Pratap R. Chokka MD., FRCPC
Clinical Professor, University of Alberta
Psychiatrist, Grey Nuns Hospital
CEO, Chokka Center for Integrative Health 

Objectives: 

1. Review the impact of Depression in the workplace
2. Identify and target to treat factors that lead to absenteeism and impaired productivity
3. Present results of the AtWorC study that identifies the relationship between cognitive symptoms associated with Depression and workplace productivity
4. Provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan to facilitate return to work and improve functionality 

Abstract:

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the workplace leading to absenteeism and significant functional impairment. The presentation will highlight the dimensionality of Depression and those factors that lead to poor productivity. The functional assessment of depressed patients is often complex, and clinicians are often frustrated in dealing with disability carriers, completing insurance forms and being able to accurately predict return to work timelines. This presentation will aim to reduce some of these challenges, by presenting evidence base return to work factors, measurement-based care to assess functionality, and the importance of the "sick note" as a therapeutic medical intervention.

Treatment of the depressed worker will emphasize a holistic treatment and systems approach focusing on the triad of the employee, employer and the clinician. Finally, recent results of an interventional open label study addressing the relationship between cognitive symptoms and workplace productivity will be presented to highlight the importance of translational research focusing on the "real world " patient.