PHQ-9 Depression Scale Questionnaire

The PHQ-9 is a measurement tool providers can use to ensure measurement-based treatment to target within Collaborative Care. This concise nine-item health questionnaire can function as a screening tool, aids in diagnosis, and measures treatment response.

Advantages of the PHQ-9

Patient filling out PHQ-9

It is shorter than other depression rating scales
Multiple administration options (in person by a clinician, by telephone, or self-administered by the patient)
Facilitates diagnosis of major depression
Assesses symptom severity
Well-validated and documented in a variety of populations
Directly based on the nine diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the DSM-5
Valid for use in adolescents as young as 12 years of age

How to Use the PHQ-9

At the initial visit, the PHQ-9 aids in the diagnosis and identification of potential depressive symptoms. At follow-up visits, it measures treatment response. The Questionnaire can be clinician or self-administered.

Scoring the PHQ-9

The PHQ-9 is a tool to assist clinicians in identifying and diagnosing major depression. It has a maximum score of 27. Elevated scores strongly correlate with a major depression diagnosis. However, it’s essential to remember that not everyone with a high PHQ-9 score will have major depression. Trained clinicians must make the final diagnosis.

Patient Health Questionnaire 2 (PHQ-2)

The Patient Health Questionnaire 2 (PHQ-2) effectively screens large groups for depression. It consists of the first two questions on the PHQ-9. If the patient responds affirmatively to either question on the PHQ-2, the PHQ-9 should be administered. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute the PHQ-2.

PHQ-9 Questionnaire and Translations

The PHQ-9, translations of the measure, and an instruction manual are available at www.phqscreeners.com. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute the PHQ-9.

Protocols for Suicide Prevention

The PHQ-9 asks about suicidal ideation, and clinics should have a plan in place for when a patient scores positive on this question. The Protocols for Suicide Prevention in Primary Care assists clinics in refining existing protocol(s) for responding to patients who present with suicidality or violent behavior.

PHQ-9 Aids

Introducing the PHQ-9

To increase staff comfort in discussing the PHQ-9 with patients, the AIMS Center provides the Helping Clinic Staff Talk about the PHQ-9 tool. This resource equips clinic staff to administer the PHQ-9 by addressing commonly asked patient questions.

PHQ-9 Visual Answer Aid

This answer aid visually represents the PHQ-9 answer scale: English | Spanish.

Help Clinic Staff Talk with Patients About the PHQ-9

This tool is designed to help clinic support staff with answers to frequent questions they may hear from patients about the PHQ-9.

It’s best for support staff to have the opportunity to role play and practice before using the PHQ-9 with patients. It can also be helpful for support staff to keep this someplace where they can refer to it, as needed, when they get questions from patients.

PHQ-9 Visual Answer Aid (Spanish)

This answer aid is a visual representation of the PHQ-9 answer scale in Spanish. Behavioral Health Care Managers can use this resource alongside the PHQ-9 during screening to get a fuller understanding of how their patient is feeling.

PHQ-9 Visual Answer Aid

This answer aid is a visual representation of the PHQ-9 answer scale. Behavioral Health Care Managers can use this resource alongside the PHQ-9 during screening to get a fuller understanding of how their patient is feeling.

Developing Protocols for Suicide Prevention in Primary Care

Primary care clinics have a responsibility to provide effective and efficient suicide safe care that is accessible to all patients and staff. Developing a thoughtful and clear protocol and workflow for responding to suicidality in your primary care setting will empower staff to know how to act as well as help keep patients and staff safe.

The document below contains information about screening and identification, conducting risk assessments, response and follow-up to suicide risk, as well as several additional resources. This information is intended to guide primary care clinics to refine existing protocol(s) for responding to patients presenting with suicidality or violent behavior in a primary care clinic.