Excellence in Communications via Meetings

Summary of work

Around 20-30% of UK depression patients (1.1 million) do not respond fully to their current antidepressant.^1,2 These ‘partial response’ patients continue to experience debilitating residual mood, physical and most frequently, cognitive symptoms³ which can dramatically impair quality of life, increase risk of depression relapse⁴ and result in ongoing burden on resources.

Following NICE third line positioning of the effective new generation multimodal antidepressant, Brintellix (vortioxetine), which had strong data in cognitive (alongside other) symptoms of depression, Lundbeck sought to define an optimal patient positioning. Partial response and residual symptoms in treated patients are a clinical challenge for many HCPs. Research indicated that partial response wasn’t explored by existing programmes.

Four non-promotional ‘FRAME’ meetings comprehensively explored partial response, plus mental health hot-topics. The aim; to quickly support and motivate a large number of relevant HCPs to identify and change practice, effectively managing partial response patients to functional recovery. A highly distinguished faculty guided 328 delegates through actively identifying and managing patients with residual symptoms - including cognition - and discussion of all treatment modes of action.

Delegates confirmed recognition of partial response patients and committed to change future practice. Five-month post-meeting evaluation indicated reductions in the proportion of their patients in partial response.

Judges' comments

The outcomes of Do Something Different were absolutely fantastic. The work skilfully appealed to the patient in a very effective way and the team made a real effort to help not only patients but clinicians too, which was wonderful to see. In fact, we were surprised that a meeting could make that much change - a very smart piece of work.