Take Heart in Primary Care Study

This study is looking at how to better help patients with ischaemic heart disease (where the arteries supplying the heart become narrowed) who also have depression. Depression is very common in people with heart disease and can make their heart condition worse and harder to manage. This study tests a special program for GPs (family doctors) that helps them recognise and treat depression in their heart patients using best-practice guidelines and specialist psychiatric advice. The goal is to see whether patients under the care of GPs enrolled in this program have less depression and better overall health. You may be eligible if: - You are between 18 and 85 years old - You have been diagnosed with ischaemic heart disease in the past 6 months and continue to need ongoing management (such as for chest pain or heart failure) - You attend a participating general practice in South Australia - You can speak and understand English - You have intact thinking and memory (cognitive function) - You are willing to give informed consent You may NOT be eligible if: - You have a psychotic illness or communication problem that prevents you talking with your GP - You are about to have heart surgery or a transplant that would change your condition - You have been hospitalised for a heart-related reason in the past 3 months Talk to your doctor about whether this trial might be right for you.