Depression screening and management among adolescents in primary care: factors associated with best practice

To compare depression identification and management perceptions and practices between professions and disciplines in primary care and examine factors that increase the likelihood of administering a standardized depression screening instrument, asking about patients' depressive symptoms, and using best practice when managing depressed adolescents.

Data came from an online survey of clinicians in Minnesota (20% response rate). Analyses involved bivariate tests and linear regressions.

The analytic sample comprised 260 family medicine physicians, 127 pediatricians, 96 family nurse practitioners, and 54 pediatric nurse practitioners. Overall, few differences emerged between physicians and nurse practitioners or family and pediatric clinicians regarding addressing depression among adolescents. Two factors associated with administering a standardized instrument included having clear protocols for follow-up after depression screening and feeling better prepared to address depression among adolescents.

Enhancing clinicians' competence to address depression and developing postscreening protocols could help providers implement universal screening in primary care.