Randomized trial compared cost-effectiveness of telephone-based IPT with standard postpartum care, indicating potential benefits for postpartum depression.
Key Points
Telephone-based IPT showed no significant differences in overall costs versus standard care, yet improved clinical outcomes.
Patients in the IPT group experienced more calls with health nurses (73% vs 55%) and fewer psychiatrist visits (9% vs 22%), with notable differences.
A societal perspective was used, considering medical and non-medical costs, with total societal expenditures reported as $6,653 for IPT versus $5,336 for control.
The incremental cost-effectiveness fell within the acceptable range, implying that telephone-based IPT should be recommended for postpartum depression patients.