Objective: The aim of this paper was to review the large US National Institute of Mental Health-sponsored depression intervention effectiveness study, STAR∗D, in order to evaluate critically its relevance for Australasian clinicians.
Conclusions: STAR∗D is a landmark study which tried to address issues of effectiveness rather than efficacy, of a number of interventions for depression. However, methodological shortcomings limit the utility of the study in informing Australasian clinical practice.
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