Dr Prem Global Healthcare Logo

Screening of depression recommended in U.S. but not in U.K.

<![CDATA[

*Routine screening for depression in primary care patients has not been shown to be beneficial or an effective use of scarce health care resources, which would be better focused on providing more consistent treatment of people with depression, concludes an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).** *Screening for depression by primary care providers is recommended in the United States and Canada if there are integrated care programs available with medical and nonmedical staff who provide follow up and treatment for depression.

By contrast, the United Kingdom does not recommend screening because of a lack of evidence supporting its efficacy. The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines cited concerns about high rates of false-positive results, lack of evidence of benefit, high cost and large amount of resources, and the diversion of resources away from people with serious depression. creening is beneficial when it can identify people with an unrecognized and untreated condition that will improve with treatment. Many instances of mild depression resolve without intervention.

The authors recommend that providing consistent treatment to people with recurrent depression would be a more effective way of dealing with this disease than general screening.

Ref and Read more: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-09-routine-screening-depression.html

]]>

Recent Articles:

Scroll to Top