Abstract
The widespread use of screening instruments has been recommended as a means to identify high-risk individuals and improve recognition and management of psychiatric disorders in medical settings. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence management decisions after the provision of psychiatric screening results. Subjects were 112 family medicine patients who screened positive for a depressive or anxiety disorder. Based on a review of patients' medical charts and accounts, the screening program was moderately effective at increasing management activities compared to the previous year, particularly family medicine counseling. Several psychiatric and physical health factors were consistent predictors of management according to logistic and multiple regression analyses, most notably severity of the psychiatric disorder and number of somatic complaints. The impact of demographic, psychiatric, and physical health factors varied greatly depending on the specific management activity. These findings provide some understanding about intervention decisions and have significant implications for the design and evaluation of future screening programs.
Maner, Ashley Meredith (1999). Depressive and anxiety disorders in primary care: factors affecting physicians' use of screening information. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1999 -THESIS -M355.