Implementation of a Depression Screening Protocol and Tools to Improve Screening for Depression in Patients With Diabetes in the Primary Care Setting

Abstract

In this study we incorporate depression screening questionnaires/tools and a screening protocol into primary care practice. The effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated in establishing depression screening practice in the clinic. Implementation of the depression screening questionnaires in patients’ electronic health records along with the depression screening protocol resulted in increased screening. Using this approach led to increased detection of depression risk in adult patients with chronic medical conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, in the primary care setting. Our study findings show that integration of the intake screening questionnaires into the electronic health record makes the screening process easier and more efficient in the primary care setting.