Depression Screening Guidelines: When and How to Screen Patients
When should doctors screen patients for depression?
Doctors should screen all adults and adolescents aged 12-18 for depression in primary care settings, with annual screening recommended for adults according to USPSTF guidelines. Universal screening identifies depression in approximately 8% of the U.S. population, addressing a condition that costs over $210 billion annually.
What the data show:
- Universal adult screening: All adults in primary care settings with adequate systems for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up
- Adolescent screening: Ages 12-18 years using age-appropriate validated instruments like PHQ-A
- Screening frequency: Annual screening recommended for adults, with higher-risk patients potentially benefiting from more frequent screening
- Detection rate: Universal screening identifies depression in approximately 8% of the population
- Healthcare impact: Depression costs over $210 billion annually in healthcare expenses
- Screening tools: PHQ-9 for adults, PHQ-A for adolescents aged 12-18
- Mechanism: Systematic screening programs work by proactively identifying depression cases that would otherwise go undiagnosed, enabling early intervention before symptoms become severe or chronic, and connecting patients to evidence-based treatment - this systematic approach significantly improves detection rates compared to relying on clinical judgment or patient self-reporting alone
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and American Academy of Family Physicians recommend universal depression screening for all adults in primary care settings, plus screening for children and adolescents aged 12-18 years. This systematic approach identifies depression in approximately 8% of the U.S. population, helping address a condition that costs over $210 billion annually in healthcare expenses.
