Investigating the Current Use of Bibliotherapy as Art of a Stepped Care Approach to the Treatment of Depression in Primary Care

Here, the current use of Bibliotherapy as part of a stepped care approach to the treatment of depression in primary care is investigated. Firstly, a small meta analysis evaluating three studies on the efficacy of Bibliotherapy as a treatment for depression was carried out with the aim of establishing the proportion of patients that find this medium beneficial and the patient characteristics of such a population. Following this the results of an audit of the use of self-help material on common mental health problems by GP’s and clinical psychologists working in Dunfermline and West Fife are reported. Results from Study One suggest that current studies evaluating the efficacy of Bibliotherapy vary widely in their findings and are inherently limited by a number of methodological weaknesses. Study Two reveals that the available self-help resources in Dunfermline and West Fife are currently underused. Findings are discussed in terms of future research and clinical implications.