WASHINGTON — Screening for parental depression at well-child visits is feasible and parents are receptive to the idea, Ardis L. Olson, M.D., reported at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies.
A brief, validated questionnaire, the two-question version of the Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-2), was completed by almost 8,000 parents in about half of the well-child visits conducted in six small- to medium-sized practices during a 6-month period.
The practices had been prepared for screening with provider and parent education, said Dr. Olson of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
Rates of positive PHQ-2 screens were similar for both mothers and fathers (about 5% for each). Pediatricians were more likely to refer mothers who screened positively (39%) than fathers who screened positively (21%), however, to primary care or mental health providers. They were equally as likely to refer mothers and fathers (26%) to a telephone support referral service called the Parent Support Line.
One-quarter of the parents accepted the services of the Parent Support Line when they were offered a call from the service, while fewer than 1% accessed the service when given a Web site or 800 number—a finding that indicates that follow-up must be proactive, Dr. Olson said.