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The GP Consultation
Referral Path/Protocol
(extract from the DRAFT Standards for the Integrated Care Pathway for Depression, due for publication in late 2007 and is therefore subject to change)
Go back to checklist
Low Mood Module ( PHQ9 score <15)
Screening (see GP Consultation above)
Screening tools, allow the practitioner to assess the degree of severity of symptoms of illness and when used with a referral protocol, provide guidance on the next steps to take.
PHQ-9
This tool, which is one of the screening tools recommended in the Quality Outcomes Framework of the General Practitioners Contract (and which will be indicated in the forthcoming ICP for Depression), may be used to give a relative measure of the extent of the patient's depression. It is a simple to use self-report, diagnostic tool for depression consisting of 9 questions. The answers to these questions are used to calculate an overall "score" for depression. This score, together with the GP's knowledge of the patient's circumstances, helps to facilitate a decision regarding the best course of action for this particular patient.
Access form and associated diagnostic outcome information.
The copyright for PHQ 9 is held by the Pfizer Corporation but it is free to photocopy.
Self Help Toolkit
This toolkit was another output from the Doing Well programme and was devised as a resource of vetted free self-help materials for use by practitioners and service users. The toolkit was developed by clinicians including psychiatrists, guided self-help workers, nurses and psychologists using defined criteria for inclusion of resources (this may be found in the Toolkit). It provides a range of services and resources which are considered to be helpful in overcoming depression, anxiety and a range of common mental health issues. Please click on the following link to access Self help Toolkit.
Monitoring Tools
It is important to assess the efficacy of these treatments and various tools exist to provide information on recovery and satisfaction - see below. As a minimum it is suggested that for every patient PHQ9 data before and after treatment and CSQ8 (client satisfaction) data are collected.
CORE (Clinical Outcomes for Routine Evaluation )
The CORE system provides a framework for responding to the increasing demand in health and other sectors to provide evidence of service quality and effectiveness.
It includes both a questionnaire, and also a separate computer package to monitor patient outcome.
Weblink to CORE System
CSQ-8
The Client Satisfaction Questionnaire is a tool which consists of 8 questions that assess how satisfied users are with the services they received. It is a validated tool and copyright is held by Clifford Attkisson PhD. For further information on how to gain permission to use the tool and to order supplies please go to www.csqscales.com
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