Depression Screening in Primary Care and Impact on Suicide Prevention

Background: Suicide is a significant public health concern and primary care providers (PCPs) are an important part of the national strategy for reducing suicide rates. Current recommendations from the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) state that depression screening in primary care is only beneficial if mental health resources are available to assist with management. However, there is no guidance for PCPs who lack mental health resources, such as in rural or underserved areas. Purpose: The project purpose is to conduct an integrative literature review on depression screening in primary care. The review will explore the impact availability and utilization of support services has on screening and ascertain what factors prompt PCPs to screen for depression. Methods: Databases include CINAHL with full text, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo. Any studies focusing on factors associated with depression screening, provider attitudes about barriers and facilitators of screening, availability and use of support resources, or rates of screening in primary care and published in English will be included. Results: Study is ongoing at present and results will be available for the presentation. Conclusions: It is expected that the study will bring awareness to the importance of depression screening and management in primary care and the need for adaptation of support services for rural or underserved area.