Gavin Andrews*, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, Sydney, Australia Track: Practice Presentation Topic: Public (e-)health, population health technologies, surveillance Presentation Type: Oral presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School Room: B-Bray Room Date: 2012-09-16 02:00 PM – 02:45 PM Last modified: 2012-08-29

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In a series of RCTs we demonstrated the efficacy of internet cognitive behaviour therapy (iCBT) in reducing symptoms and disability in depression, generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia and panic disorder and that adherence was high, satisfaction high, benefit considerable (NNT=2) and relapse minimal. The question is, would these benefits occur when the programs were made available to primary care clinicians?
In the first 1,000 patients adherence was poor at 38%. We instituted three changes - an upfront cost of $44, patient choice of course and patient choice of timing of next lesson and adherence in the next 1,000 patients rose to 60%.
Given satisfactory adherence we examined the effectiveness in the 600 completers. Eighty per cent improved and 50% no longer met criteria for the disorder - NNT=2.
iCBT is the most effective and efficient treatment available for people with these disorders.