Depression Research Idea

[doctor4ever]

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I currently work part-time at an after-hours walk-in psychiatric clinic (4PM-10PM M-F and Sunday Afternoon). The patient population is mostly county mental health needing refills or medication changes. There are a few patients that have never seen a psychiatrist.

I started giving all patients a PHQ-9 to fill out to help evaluate depressive symptoms. The patients fill out the form before they see the nurse.

I’m thinking about putting this data to use, but I’m having trouble coming up with ideas. I have thought about looking at severity of depression and looking at the psychotropics prescribed (e.g. number, types, dosages).

Please let me know if any of you have any ideas. What sort of data would you like to see from this population?

Thanks in advance.

 

[kugel]

Here's a link to the PHQ-9:
http://muskie.usm.maine.edu/clinicalfusion/DHHS/phq9.pdf

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[doctor4ever]

It should open now.

 

[kugel]

Yes, the attachment is working. Thanks.

How about something as simple as an analysis of which of the 9 factors is most closely associated with whether the pt gets the Rx filled, or whether the pt arrives for follow-up appt, or which factor is most closely associated with hospitalization within the next 60 days (assuming pt is not hosp'd at this visit).

I could see any of these simple studies being interesting academically, but also helpful to planning for your local services and understanding your local population at that particular clinic.