Treatment practices and barriers for depression and anxiety by primary care advanced practice nurses in Wyoming

The aim of this study was to investigate barriers to treatment and screening related to depression and anxiety and the diagnostic and treatment practices of primary care advanced practice nurses (APNs) in the state of Wyoming.

Every primary care APN in Wyoming received a mailed questionnaire asking them about treatment barriers, screening and treatment practices, and attitudes toward depression and anxiety.

Wyoming APNs in primary care routinely identify, evaluate, and treat patients with both depression and anxiety. APNs generally felt positive about treating these patients, although they reported that their patients encounter a number of financial barriers in accessing treatment. Routine screening practices for depression and anxiety were relatively low among the APNs, and they used a wide variety of interventions for these patients.

The findings identify a lack of standardized approaches to assessment, referral, and treatment, especially pharmacologic intervention, and may indicate the need for alterations in the educational preparation of primary providers in order to improve clinical outcomes of treatment for depression and anxiety.