OBJECTIVE: To describe use of health care resources by levels of depression and quality of life (QOL). METHODS: The Longitudinal Investigation of Depression Outcomes (LIDO) is an observational study measuring depression and its economic and QOL correlates in patients visiting primary care clinics in six international cities (Barcelona, Be’er Sheva, Melbourne, Porto Alegre, St. Petersburg, and Seattle). Health care utilization was assessed using an interview-based resource utilization questionnaire (RUQ) collecting information on the type, number and length of health care visits. For our analysis, the total time spent with a primary health care professional was calculated. Centers for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression (CES-D, representing symptom-based severity of depression) and Quality of Life Depression Scale (QLDS, depression-specific quality of life) data were gathered from a sample of patients self-reporting depressive symptoms, but not necessarily having a diagnosis of depression. RESULTS: Using the cross-sectional baseline measurement point, a total of 2359 patients were evaluated across the sites. Dividing the population by CES-D scores (<20, >=20), all sites except St. Petersburg had a pattern where those with lower CES-D scores (less depressive symptomotology) spent less time with their doctors than those with more moderate to severe depression (ranging from 1 minute in Barcelona to over 10 minutes in Seattle). Comparing groups split by mean quality of life scores, a similar pattern was noted with those having lower quality of life spending less time with their health care provider (1 minute in Melbourne to 10 minutes in Seattle). CONCLUSION: With the exception of the site in St. Petersburg, primary care patients who self-report depressive symptoms and lower quality of life tend to spend more actual contact time with their health care providers.