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Red Book

Psychosocial

Depression

Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice
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While there is evidence that depression screening instruments have reasonable sensitivity and specificity, the evidence for improved health outcomes and cost-effectiveness of screening for depression in primary care remains unclear. There is evidence for routine screening for depression in the general adult population in the context of staff-assisted support to the GP in providing depression care, case management and coordination (eg via practice nurses; B).31 There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening in adults or adolescents where case management and coordination is not available (C).31 There is insufficient evidence to recommend screening in children.32 Clinicians should maintain a high level of awareness for depressive symptoms in patients at high risk of depression and make appropriate clinical assessments wherever the risk is high.33

Depression: Identifying risk

Table 10.1.1

Depression: Identifying risk
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Test to detect depression

Table 10.1.2

Test to detect depression
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