Implementation of an Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for Depression Screening of the Adolescent

Abstract

The evidence supports use of a depression screening tool to increase screening completion in the adolescent population. Clinical guidelines include use of the PHQ-9 in the adolescent population (ages 12–18). PHQ-9 screenings are currently lacking in this primary care setting. The aim of this Quality Improvement Project was to improve depression screening in a primary care practice setting located in a rural Appalachian health system. An educational offering with pretest and posttest surveys and a perceived competency scale are utilized. Focus is added to the process and guideline used to complete depression screening. As a result of the QI Project, posttest assessment of knowledge relating to educational offering increased, and use of the screening tool increased by 12.9%. The findings support the importance of education on primary care provider practice and depression screening of adolescents.