Integration of geriatric mental health screening into a primary care practice: a patient satisfaction survey. (30th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Samuels, S.; Abrams, R.; Shengelia, R.; Reid, M. C.; Goralewicz, R.; Breckman, R.; Anderson, M. A.; Snow, C. E.; Woods, E. C.; Stern, A.; Eimicke, J. P.; Adelman, R. D.
• Is Part Of: International journal of geriatric psychiatry. Volume 30:Number 5(2015:May)
• Page Start: 539
• Page End: 546
• Publication Date: 2014-07-30
• Subjects: Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Geriatric Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.4180
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6230

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="gps4180-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Colocation of mental health screening, assessment, and treatment in primary care reduces stigma, improves access, and increases coordination of care between mental health and primary care providers. However, little information exists regarding older adults' attitudes about screening for mental health problems in primary care. The objective of this study was to evaluate older primary care patients' acceptance of and satisfaction with screening for depression and anxiety.</p> </sec> <sec id="gps4180-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The study was conducted at an urban, academically affiliated primary care practice serving older adults. Study patients (<italic>N</italic> = 107) were screened for depression/anxiety and underwent a post‐screening survey/interview to assess their reactions to the screening experience.</p> </sec> <sec id="gps4180-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Most patients (88.6%) found the length of the screening to be "just right." A majority found the screening questions somewhat or very acceptable (73.4%) and not at all difficult (81.9%). Most participants did not find the questions stressful (84.9%) or intrusive (91.5%); and a majority were not at all embarrassed (93.4%), upset (93.4%), or uncomfortable (88.8%) during the screening process. When asked about frequency of screening, most patients (72.4%) desired screening for depression/anxiety yearly or more. Of the 79 patients who had spoken with their physicians about mental health during the visit, 89.8% reported that it was easy or very easy to talk with their physicians about depression/anxiety. Multivariate results showed that patients with higher anxiety had a lower positive reaction to the screen when controlling for gender, age, and patient–physician communication.</p> </sec> <sec id="gps4180-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>These results demonstrate strong patient support for depression and anxiety screening in primary care. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>