The acceptability of a depression screening tool in an urban, Aboriginal community-controlled health service.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the acceptability and face validity of a psychological assessment instrument, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), as a depression screening tool for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.


METHODS
Four focus groups were held in an urban, Aboriginal community-controlled health service. Participants' attitudes to screening for depression and the specific components of PHQ-9 were explored.


RESULTS
Process-oriented and PHQ-9-specific themes were raised. They included the role of family in the screening process, the need for a trusting relationship between the tool administrator and patient, the risk of confounding by social disadvantage or physical co-morbidities, the absence of a question assessing the presence of anger as a symptom of depression, and the importance of culturally appropriate language within the tool.


CONCLUSIONS
Modification of the screening process and wording of the PHQ-9 in response to these concerns should render it acceptable for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients in this setting.


CONCLUSIONS
These results may apply to the use of other psychological screening tools in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. This is particularly relevant given the policy emphasis on screening in Indigenous health.
Esler
Danielle M
DM
Danila Dilba Health Service, Northern Territory General Practice Education and Flinders University, South Australia. danielleelser@hotmail.com
Johnston
Fay
F
Thomas
David
D
D003153:Community Health Services; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D014505:Urban Population