Rapid assessment for psychopathology in a college health clinic: utility of college student specific questions.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the utility and unique benefits of employing the College Health Questionnaire (CHQ) in a college health care setting. The CHQ is a newly designed measure to assess psychosocial issues commonly problematic among college students.


METHODS
One hundred nine patients participated in the study during their medical appointments.


METHODS
Participants completed the study questionnaires (CHQ and Patient Health Questionnaire) in the waiting room. Their provider had the opportunity to use the responses in treatment decision making.


RESULTS
A majority (66.1%) endorsed at least one CHQ item. Patients who indicated traditional mental health problems were more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medications, whereas patients who endorsed psychosocial issues commonly problematic among college students were more likely to be referred for behavioral treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Screening for behavioral problems in college primary care settings without the use of college-related questions would result in missing numerous important psychosocial problems.
Alschuler
Kevin N
KN
Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197, USA. kalschul@gmail.com
Hoodin
Flora
F
Byrd
Michelle R
MR
D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008603:Mental Health; D011336:Probability; D011584:Psychology; D011599:Psychopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult