Improving Depression Screening in Primary Care

Author

Grace WilsonFollow
Annmarie O'ConnorFollow

Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Valerie Griffin

Project Team Faculty Member

Kristin Elmore

Keywords

depression, depression screening, PHQ-2, PHQ-9, primary care

Abstract

Depression remains an increasingly prevalent and underdiagnosed disorder affecting approximately 21 million adults in the United States with only 66% seeking treatment (NIMH, 2022). Untreated depression can lead to worsening mental and physical health which negatively impacts a person’s quality of life. The implementation of routine depression screening in primary care is recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to improve early detection leading to improved outcomes (USPSTF, 2023). Despite increased depression prevalence and USPSTF recommendation, there remained an absence of routine depression screening in a primary care practice in Midwest Illinois which led to the development of this evidence-based quality improvement project (QIP). The goal of this QIP was to implement routine depression screening using the PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 to improve depression screening in adults encountered at this primary care practice. Methods utilized included integrating the PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 depression screening tools into the EMR, a staff educational session, a pre-and post-intervention staff questionnaire, and a post-intervention staff satisfaction survey. Results showed a 43% improvement in patients screened with 10% scoring positive on the PHQ-2; pre- and post-intervention staff questionnaires showed an overall improvement in knowledge, confidence, and frequency of screening; and the post-intervention staff satisfaction survey showed depression identification as a valuable aspect and concern was related to time constraints during patient visits. A recommendation to continue routine depression screening for all adult patients was conferred with this practice's personnel.

Recommended Citation

Wilson, Grace and O'Connor, Annmarie, "Improving Depression Screening in Primary Care" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 334.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/334

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