Psychological screening in cardiovascular care.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients have high rates of psychological distress, linked to poorer prognoses.
• Existing clinical practice lacks standardized guidance for psychological screening in cardiovascular care.
• Early identification and management of psychological distress can enhance patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a pragmatic, actionable protocol for psychological screening in routine cardiovascular clinical settings.
• To guide clinicians on the implementation of psychological screening, including timing, methods, and follow-up procedures.
• To facilitate timely intervention or referral for patients identified with psychological distress.

Main Methods:

• Description of a pragmatic approach for integrating psychological screening into standard cardiovascular care workflows.
• Outline of specific screening procedures, including when and how to administer assessments.
• Guidance on managing positive screening results, encompassing intervention and referral pathways.

Main Results:

• A proposed psychological screening protocol designed for practical clinical application.
• The protocol enables clinicians to systematically assess psychological distress in CVD patients.
• It provides a framework for appropriate clinical response to positive screening results.

Conclusions:

• Implementing a structured psychological screening protocol can address the unmet needs of CVD patients.
• This approach empowers clinicians to proactively manage psychological distress, improving patient care.
• The proposed protocol supports better integration of mental health support within cardiovascular services.