Improving Healthcare Provider Knowledge of Depression Screening in Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this project was to increase provider knowledge and awareness of the Patient Health Questionnaire modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A) which is a validated but more age-appropriate depression screening tool for adolescents in a pediatric primary care setting. Background: The rates of adolescent mental health disorders, including depression and suicide, are increasing at an alarming rate. Although there are screening methods in place, many patients continue to go undiagnosed and untreated. One issue might be the tool used to screen for depression. If a depression screening tool was developed and validated on adults, then it is not the best tool for the pediatric populations. An age-appropriate screening tool, like the PHQ-A, can be used to screen for mental health related symptoms. Methods: A literature synthesis was utilized in planning the intervention. Methods include a 10-15 minute in person educational session in which the DNP student presented on the benefits of using the PHQ-A over the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), which are already being utilized at Arbor Medical Partners Pediatrics. An educational based handout was used to guide the presentation. A survey was provided to the participants afterwards that addressed if knowledge and awareness was gained on the topic in addition to feedback about the educational offering itself. Results: Surveys from eight participants were obtained. Medical assistants and providers felt as though the education was helpful because the statistics provided justified the use of the PHQ-A, the information gained could be used to inform families, and the important role that healthcare providers play in depression screening in adolescents was emphasized. All participants agreed that they would be likely to adopt the PHQ-A into their future practice as well as be supportive of the clinic adopting it. Suggestions on how to improve the educational offering and how it was presented were minimal. Conclusions: The results demonstrated a positive response to the educational offering and the PHQ-A itself. Further PDSA cycles need to be completed to work on ways to accomplish adopting the PHQ-A into practice at Arbor Medical Partners Pediatrics.