BackgroundDepression is a serious problem in the United States. It not only impacts chronic illness and healthcare utilization, but it can also result in death, intentional or unintentional. Despite the seriousness associated with depression, it continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. The primary care setting provides an ideal location to screen and initiate treatment for depression in individuals who would otherwise not be screened.ObjectiveThe objective of this evidence-based practice project was to improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression in an adult primary care office.MethodAn intervention consisting of a HealthWatcher reminder for depression screening, the administration of the PHQ-9 instrument, and a treatment algorithm was incorporated into the office workflow. The charts of a pre-intervention random sample were compared to a post-intervention random sample to test for significant differences in depression screening and treatment rates.ResultsUsing the chi-squared test, the post-intervention sample screening rate was significantly higher than pre-intervention sample rate (90% vs 23.3%; χ2 = 54.3, df = 1, P < .000).Conclusion/ImplicationsIt is feasible to improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression for adult primary care patients by modifying office protocols and using the PHQ-9 screening instrument and a treatment algorithm.
BackgroundDepression is a serious problem in the United States. It not only impacts chronic illness and healthcare utilization, but it can also result in death, intentional or unintentional.Despite the seriousness associated with depression, it continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. The primary care setting provides an ideal location to screen and initiate treatment for depression in individuals who would otherwise not be screened.ObjectiveThe objective of this evidence-based practice project was to improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression in an adult primary care office.MethodAn intervention consisting of a HealthWatcher reminder for depression screening, the administration of the PHQ-9 instrument, and a treatment algorithm was incorporated into the office workflow. The charts of a pre-intervention random sample were compared to a post-intervention random sample to test for significant differences in depression screening and treatment rates.ResultsUsing the chi-squared test, the post-intervention sample screening rate was significantly higher than pre-intervention sample rate (90% vs 23.3%; χ2 = 54.3, df = 1, P < .000).Conclusion/ImplicationsIt is feasible to improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression for adult primary care patients by modifying office protocols and using the PHQ-9 screening instrument and a treatment algorithm.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.