Team-Effectiveness Barriers and Solutions to Depression Screening within a Pediatric Hospital Network: A Qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Mental Health Services Research
• Qualitative Health Research

Background:

• Pediatric depression prevalence is rising, prompting universal screening implementation in hospitals.
• Existing research lacks qualitative insights into sustaining depression screening workflows.
• Understanding practical workflow functions is crucial for effective pediatric depression screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the workflow of universal depression screening in a pediatric healthcare system.
• To identify barriers and propose solutions for effective workflow implementation.
• To explore staff perspectives on depression screening processes.

Main Methods:

• Conducted eight focus groups with 37 staff members involved in depression screening.
• Utilized rapid qualitative analysis on recorded and transcribed focus group data.
• Focused on participants within a large pediatric hospital system.

Main Results:

• Identified six key barriers and five proposed solutions across screening, assessment, and disposition stages.
• Noted barriers include PHQ-9 language appropriateness, role siloing, and follow-up infrastructure gaps.
• Solutions proposed involve adapting screening language, cross-training, and dedicated follow-up roles.

Conclusions:

• Effective team collaboration and clear role delineation are vital for successful depression screening.
• Strategies enhancing interdisciplinary teamwork can improve the entire depression care cascade.
• Addressing identified barriers can optimize pediatric depression screening workflows.