Research Gaps

What are Research Gaps?

Prior to and during the literature review and data analysis, the review team and the Community Preventive Services Task Force attempt to address the key questions of what interventions work, for whom, under what conditions, and at what cost. Lack of sufficient information often leaves one or more of these questions unanswered. The Community Guide refers to these as "research gaps." Research gaps can be pulled together in the form of a basic set of questions to inform a research agenda for those in the field.

Identified Research Gaps

Effectiveness. The effectiveness of collaborative care interventions in improving a wide spectrum of depression outcomes has been established. Some questions still remain about the intervention including,

• How effective is this intervention in improving the quality of screening practices for depressive disorders in primary care?
• What is the optimal intensity and frequency of case management sessions within this intervention?
• What intervention-specific training providers, from different backgrounds and fulfilling different roles in a collaborative care model, might most benefit from?

Applicability. I Collaborative Care models are applicable to most primary care settings and populations. The following questions remain about the applicability of this intervention,

• How effective is this intervention in managing depression among children and adolescents?
• How effective is this intervention when targeted at minority populations and low-income populations?
• How effective is this intervention in improving depression outcomes among populations with different comorbidities?