Top 30 Quality Measures

Screening for Depression in High Risk Groups

Overall Rank: 3

Percent of individuals in high risk groups below with documented screening for major depression at least on one occasion :
•  Substance abuse or substance abuse withdrawal
•  Other psychiatric illnesses
•  Own or family history of depression
•  Major loss/traumatic events or life changes
•  Multiple (greater than 5/year) medical visits or multiple unexplained symptoms
•  Work or relationship dysfunction.
•  Cardiac disease, diabetes or other major physical illnesses

Domain : Patients with Mood Disorders

Any of several psychological disorders characterized by abnormal emotional states and including especially major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Also called affective disorder.
Additional Domain(s) : Accessibility

Rationale

Major depression can be a primary disorder or secondary to substance abuse, withdrawal from substance abuse, other psychiatric illnesses, certain medical illnesses, and/or certain medications. Many patients with major depression do not initially complain of depressed mood, and providers need to suspect these diagnoses based on a profile of risk factors and common presentations.

Primary Reference

Major Depression in Adults in Primary Care. (2004) Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. P: 7 Section: 1 Retrieved on Aug 3, 2006 from: http://www.icsi.org/knowledge/detail.asp? catID=29 &itemID=180

Level of Evidence

III: Preliminary research evidence only or evidence based on consensus opinion only.

Summarized Comments

Add Comment

Screening that isn't joined up with other services doesn't work see Sheldon et al BMJ May/06

Variation in Results

Ratings-based Rank

Relevance	10
Actionability	1
Overall Importance	3

Stakeholder Rank

Academics	8
Clinicians	2
Consumers	12
Decision Makers	2

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Special Group Rank

First Nations	18
Rural Areas	29
Federal Stakeholders	4

Regional Rank

BC	AB	SK	MB	ON	QC	NB	NS	PE	NL	YT	NT	NU
12	1	2	17	16	17	6	1	2	8	3	4	37

Overall Rank

SA10a (B689)

Distribution of Survey Respondent Ratings

Relevance

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Low

High

Actionability

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Low

High

Overall Importance

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

3 = can live without
2 = nice to have
1 = indispensable

The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the official policies of Health Canada