Depression Screening Among African American Adults in the Primary Care Setting

Abstract

Although depression is treatable with medication and psychotherapy, it is often left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in African American communities. African American patients may experience poor outcomes when medical problems coexist with undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues, such as depression. This is a concern because depression can inhibit compliance with providers' treatment plans. A major factor in treatment of depression is assessment and recognition of the condition itself so that a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can be determined. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of a depression screening tool on depression diagnoses and treatment initiation in African American patients in a primary care setting. In 200 patients prior to screening implementaion, none were screened or diagnosed with depression. After routine implementation of a depression screening tool, 75 of 182 patients were diagnosed with depression. Using a routine screening tool resulted in a 41% increase in diagnoses of depression. The integration of routine depression screening in the primary care setting may improve overall health outcomes and competence in implementation of care. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57 (10), 18–23.]

‘Are we opening a can of worms?’: Community‐based occupational therapists' experiences working with clients with unexpected mental health issues

“…Nonetheless, physical and mental health needs are often assessed and addressed separately, with inconsistent delivery of integrated or collaborative healthcare addressing both physical and mental health needs (Happell, Scott, Nankivell, & Platania‐Phung, 2013; Vancampfort et al, 2017). As a result, common mental health issues are frequently undiagnosed and inadequately treated in people with complex physical health problems (Jorm et al., 2017; Mohebbi et al., 2019; Randle et al., 2019; Vasiliadis et al., 2015), contributing to poorer overall outcomes for health and wellbeing (Gerrits et al., 2014; Penninx et al., 2013). In both the Australian and global context, mental health service demand far exceeds service availability (Camacho et al., 2018; Jorm et al., 2017; Roggenkamp et al, 2018).…”

African Americans Healthcare Disparities and Inclusive Practice; A Literature Review

“…Often, primary care providers may be the only chance to assist with mental health disorders such as depression, and can identify and set the tone of treatment sought by African Americans. Randle, et al [16] conducted a study by reviewing electronic medical records of patients ages 19 and over, from two medical clinics. The urban and rural clinics newly employed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, a screening tool with 9 questions to assess for depression.…”

“…African Americans only compose 10.7% of nurses with a baccalaureate degree, compared to Non-Hispanics counterparts that compose 69.3% of baccalaureate nursing degrees. Jean Baptiste, et al [1] conducted a study among 16 African American women that graduated between 2010 to 2015 to study enrollment and retention among African Americans in BSN programs. Participants felt as though inner strengths, sacrificing, being inclusive, receiving support from others and being receptive assisted in their success [1].…”

Mental Health Screening Differences in Non-English Speaking Patients: Results From a Retrospective Cohort Study

“…13,14 Racial and ethnic minorities as well as refugees benefit from consistent screening likewise. [15][16][17][18] Other studies have shown varied mental health screening rates between 59% 19 and 88.8%. 20 While some authors have found racial disparities in mental health screening 21,22 and lower rates among patients with a preferred language other than English or Spanish, 20 little is known about mental health screening practice by language groups.…”