Screening for depression: use of patient questionnaires.
Despite the prevalence of depression, it is consistently underdiagnosed. As a result, many depressed patients fail to receive adequate treatment and may experience serious consequences, including suicide. Various screening instruments have been developed to identify depression in patients whose symptoms might go unrecognized. Despite the risks associated with screening, many benefits may result. These include increased recognition of depression, alteration of treatment plans and improved clinical outcome.
Kavan
M G
MG
Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska.
Pace
T M
TM
Ponterotto
J G
JG
Barone
E J
EJ
D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires