Identification of Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents through Screening in Primary Care

Abstract

As the prevalence of mental health issues increases in our society, screening for such conditions is a leading factor in preventing the psychological and physical effects experienced when left untreated. The inquiry of screening for anxiety and depression in the adolescent will focus on early detection and treatment nitiation, preventing the detrimental effects that can carry into adulthood. The Evidence Based Quality Improvement (EBQI) project utilized a quasi-experimental, single cohort design. Participants were recruited through a convenience sample with predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a total of 44 participants. The project took place within a rural primary care clinic, which is also a Federally Qualified Health Center. The intervention was to provide anxiety and depression screening questionnaires in an attempt to provide early detection and initiation of care for these disorders. The primary outcome was the early identification and initiation of treatment for anxiety and depression in the previously undiagnosed adolescent with improvement in their perception of quality of life. The outcome showed statistically significant improvement in the pre-posttests. The improved detection and early intervention can decrease the number of visits for somatoform symptoms experienced from untreated anxiety and depression, as well as prevent lingering effects into adulthood (Appendix A).