Evaluating transformation with available resources: The influence of APEX on depression screening

The University of Colorado developed and piloted a team-based primary care delivery model called ambulatory process excellence (APEX) in a family medicine residency in 2015. We evaluated its impact on depression screening using found data and tools readily available to practice-based evaluators.

The APEX model calls for 5 medical assistants (MAs) supporting 2 providers. MAs have dedicated time to provide delegated care, including depression screening with 2 versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire: PHQ-2 and PHQ-9. Using an interrupted time-series-with-control design, we created longitudinal profiles of the pilot and a control practice using statistical process control charts. We obtained data from preexisting dashboards derived from the electronic medical record. Outcomes included PHQ-2 screening rates, patients screening positive, and the proportion of them completing a PHQ-9. Covariates included monthly visits and new-patient appointments. Using Microsoft Excel, we transformed all data into modified z scores, plotted them on a multivariate control chart for each practice, and assessed them for evidence of special cause variation. Key informants provided information about potentially confounding concurrent events.

Compared with baseline, the intervention practice significantly increased primary care medical visits and new-patient appointments, increased positive PHQ-2 patients, and improved PHQ-9 completion. High screening rates remained stable. In the control practice, new-patient appointments increased and PHQ2 screening improved.

APEX may contribute to better depression-screening processes. We have provided a detailed description of a real-world, practice-based, quasi-experimental evaluation model using common spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel) to transform and analyze found data with multivariate statistical process-control charts. (PsycINFO Database Record