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Table 3 Summary of core challenges to engaging family in men’s depression treatment and possible strategies to overcome them

From: Family-centered depression treatment for older men in primary care: a qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives

Challenge

Possible strategies

Engaging men at the right time

• Work with men to help them accept the diagnosis and need for treatment before involving family

• Giving men time to “warm-up” to the idea of family involvement

Preserving men’s sense of autonomy

• Communicate centrality of men’s preferences and values in treatment

• Assess men’s preferences for family role in specific aspects of treatment

Managing privacy concerns

• Educate clinicians about guidelines for involving family members (e.g. HIPAA guidelines) [41]

• Allow men to specify topics that are “off-limits” in discussions with family

• Allow flexibility for care manager to meet individually with patient

• Address men’s concerns about burdening family members

Navigating family tensions

• Set ground rules for joint sessions

• Educate family about the nature of depression

• Focus on specific behavioral tasks that can be shared with family

• Develop a jointly agreed upon agenda for each treatment session