The Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) is a patient screening tool for depression. The PHQ-2 consists of only the first two questions of the PHQ-9, another widely used depression screening questionnaire.
How Does the PHQ-2 Work?
The PHQ-2 inquires about the frequency of depressed mood and the inability to feel pleasure over the prior two weeks. The patient rates their answers to the two questions with one of four responses, indicating feelings of depression from “not at all” to “nearly every day.”
The provider administering the PHQ-2 then evaluates the responses for symptoms of depression. Patients who screen positive should be assessed further with either the PHQ-9 or other diagnostic methods.
When To Use the PHQ-2 vs. the PHQ-9
In some scenarios, a healthcare professional may administer only the PHQ-9. It’s up to individual providers to decide whether the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 is appropriate as a first step. The PHQ-2 may be preferred because it can be completed in just a few minutes.
The PHQ-2 focuses on identifying people with depression, while the PHQ-9 is more suited to identifying patients without depression. Depending on a provider’s initial observations, they may prefer to start with the PHQ-2 to verify depression symptoms.
The PHQ-2 is appropriate in primary care, while the PHQ-9 is preferred in a specific mental healthcare setting. Some electronic health record (EHR) systems may only offer the PHQ-9 by default.
How TempDev Can Help
TempDev’s team of NextGen consultants, developers, and trainers can help you implement, switch, or even upgrade your current EHR system. From dashboards, templates, and reports to revenue cycle consulting, automation, and workflow redesign, TempDev offers the tools you need to make the most of your NextGen EHR system. Our team is here to help you design, organize, and implement the whole system, with top tips and guidance based on industry best practices.
Contact us here or call us at 888.TEMP.DEV to get the help you need to integrate your healthcare systems with administering the PHQ-2.
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