| Title | Operationalizing Depression Screening in Ambulatory Palliative Care: A Quality Improvement Project. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2023 |
| Authors | Shalev D, Patterson M, Aytaman Y, Moya-Tapia MA, Blinderman CD, Silva MD, M Reid C |
| Journal | J Pain Symptom Manage |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pagination | e7-e13 |
| Date Published | 2023 Jan |
| ISSN | 1873-6513 |
| Keywords | Ambulatory Care, Ambulatory Care Facilities, Depression, Humans, Palliative Care, Quality Improvement |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Depression is common in the palliative care setting and impacts outcomes. Operationalized screening is unusual in palliative care. LOCAL PROBLEM: Lack of operationalized depression screening at two ambulatory palliative care sites. METHODS: A fellow-driven quality improvement initiative to implement operationalized depression screening using the patient health questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2). The primary measure was rate of EMR-documented depression screening. Secondary measures were clinician perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the PHQ-2. INTERVENTION: The intervention is a clinic-wide implementation of PHQ-2 screening supported by note templates, brief clinician training, referral resources for clinicians, and opportunities for indirect psychiatric consultation. RESULTS: Operationalized depression screening rates increased from 2% to 38%. All clinicians felt incorporation of depression screening was useful and feasible. CONCLUSIONS: Operationalized depression screening is feasible in ambulatory palliative care workflow, though optimization through having screening be completed prior to clinician visit might improve uptake. |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.09.002 |
| Alternate Journal | J Pain Symptom Manage |
| PubMed ID | 36103939 |
| PubMed Central ID | PMC9790031 |
| Grant List | K24 AG053462 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States T32 AG049666 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |