Screening and Screening Tools
APPENDIX 2
RECOMMENDED SCREENING TOOLS
- Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9.
Developed specifically for primary care and used widely in the US. Items relate closely to the criteria for depression in the DSM-IV.
Download from: www.depression-primarycare.org/ - General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)
12 item version
Easy to complete and well validated. Available in several languages. Available from NFER-Nelson Publishing Co Ltd
Tel: 08456 021937
(Current cost £33.20 for pack of 100) - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
(HADS) (14 items)
Used frequently in primary care, especially useful with patients who also have physical illness. Available from NFER-Nelson Publishing Co Ltd
Tel: 08456 021937
(Current cost £36.25 for pack of 100) - Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II
(21 items)
Copyright belongs to the Psychological Corporation and can be purchased at www.fpnotebook.com. Typical cost is £68.89 for manual and 50 questionnaires and then £42.30 for each pack of 50 questionnaires. - Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
is used for screening with the elderly. Not subject to copyright. Can be downloaded from www.miahonline.org/tools/ - Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
is commonly used by Health Visitors to screen for postnatsal depression. Not subject to copyright
and can be downloaded from www.priory.com/psych/epds.htm.
See also Cox, J. and Holden, J. (1994) Perinatal Psychiatry: use and misuse of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. London: Gaskell.
These questionnaires can be used to confirm a diagnosis, agree the diagnosis with patients and monitor progress. Most scales used in primary care are short (12-15 questions) and can be completed by most patients whilst in the waiting area. Patients who have difficulty reading or are non-English speakers may require additional help. Minimal staff input is required for the scoring of responses.
Assessing the severity of depression
Have any of the following occured most of the time for two weeks or more? Please note, the form below is only a demo and does not support any interactivity.
Conclusion
Positive to A, B or C and:
- 4 of the associated symptoms above: Mild
- 5-6 of the associated symptoms above: Moderate
- 7 or more of the associated symptoms: Severe