Enhancing Depression Detection in Primary Care: A PICO Reflection
School
Business Management & Finance High School**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
NUR 434
Subject
Nursing
Date
Dec 11, 2024
Pages
4
Uploaded by MajorSandpiperPerson1243
1Reflection on the PICO Question SelectionInstitutionInstructorCourseDate
2Background:Depression in primary care is significant; thus, choosing the right research question iscrucial. My research focused on how structured depression screening influences early diagnosisand treatment using the PICO framework. Here, I reflect on how I made the PICO question, itsresponse, who could be affected, and its overall impact.“How did I choose the question?”I chose the question considering the topic to enhance primary care, depressionidentification, and treatment. I wanted to examine the PHQ-9's effectiveness since lack ofstructured screening contributes to depression underdiagnosis. By focusing on a particularpopulation—adults aged 18–75 in primary care—an intervention (structured depressionscreening using the PHQ-9), a comparison to usual care, and an outcome of early detection andtreatment. The PICO framework helped me create the question. Early depression identificationincreases treatment results, making this topic crucial. Marsh (2021) illustrates the benefits ofstructured tools in primary care depression therapy, providing a strong platform for research.“What difference could the answer to the question make?”Answering this question may help primary care providers diagnose and treat depression.Early diagnosis of depression may prevent suffering, functional impairment, and suicide. Ingeneral care, using standardized screening instruments like the PHQ-9 may improve depressiondiagnosis. Results may indicate that primary care providers may diagnose depression insymptom-free patients. This may prompt psychotherapy or medication to enhance patientoutcomes. Depression's chronic health and quality of life may improve with early therapy.Answers may affect healthcare policy, especially primary care mental health screening. If
3organized depression screening succeeds, healthcare organizations may standardize it, changingmental health financing and resource allocation.“Who will be affected by the answer to the question?”Adult primary care patients, especially those aged 18–75, will be most impacted. Despitemillions in this age group suffering from depression, mental health research seldom includesthem. A standardized depression screening strategy would assist primary care physicians inrecognizing depression in people who may not seek mental health support on their own. Thismay increase early diagnosis, enabling faster, more effective therapy. The results would alsoimpact primary care physicians. If organized screening techniques like the PHQ-9 work,healthcare providers will have a dependable, evidence-based tool to guide their practice,improving patient care. It may also help clinicians identify individuals who need mental healthtreatments, improving referral and integrated care.“Could anyone else be affected?”Positive research outcomes may affect healthcare stakeholders beyond primary careconsumers and providers. Public health professionals and policymakers may utilize the findingsto push primary care screening standards. This may change clinical guidelines or payment rulesfor community depression therapy. This inquiry may minimize mental health stigma, benefitingsociety. Depression screening in primary care may lead to more open mental health discussionsand treatment. This may improve mental health patient support. Finally, insurance providers maybe affected if comprehensive screening prevents more severe mental health crises and reducesemergency treatments and hospitalizations. If they detect economic benefits, insurers may urgeearly intervention.
4ReferenceMarsh, F. (2021). Improving depression screening through utilization of a depression screeningprotocol in primary care. Mathews Journal of Nursing and Health Care, 3(1), 1-10.https://doi.org/10.30654/MJNH.10004