The depression in primary care tool kit

Objective: A tool kit was developed to help primary care physicians overcom e some of the barriers to recognition and management of depression. Method: Tools were collected from a variety of sources, categorized by function, a nd evaluated on the basis of previously established criteria, with the best tools selected for inclusion in the tool kit. New tools were developed whe n an adequate tool for a desired function was not available. The tool kit w as reviewed and then revised based on the feedback from eleven experts on d epression in primary care, five medical directors from health care systems or managed care companies, and eighteen primary care physicians. All eighte en primary care physicians completed a questionnaire after reviewing the to ol kit as part of the evaluation process. Results: Only five of the eightee n physicians were using any kind of tool for depression prior to reviewing the tool kit. All eighteen physicians indicated that they were likely to us e one or more of the components of the tool kit. On average, physicians ind icated they were likely to use 6.5 of the ten types of tools included in th e kit. Conclusions:A depression tool kit containing screening, diagnostic, management planning, and outcomes assessment questionnaires as well as trea tment and counseling guidelines, information tables, flow charts, and patie nt education materials is likely to be well received by primary care physic ians. However, its effectiveness may have as much to do with how its use is organized and implemented as it does with the intrinsic value of its compo nents.