Screening for Depression in Clinical Practice

Book excerpt: Mood disorders are a global health issue. National guidance for their detection and management have been published in the US and in Europe. Despite this, the rate at which depression is recognized and managed in primary and secondary care settings remains low and suggests that many clinicians are still unsure how to screen people for mood disorders. Against the backdrop of this problem, the editors of this volume have designed a book with a dynamic two-fold purpose: to provide an evidence-based overview of screening methods for mood disorders, and to synthesize the evidence into a practical guide for clinicians in a variety of settings—from cardiologists and oncologists, to primary care physicians and neurologists, among others. The volume considers all important aspects of depression screening, from the overview of specific scales, to considerations of technological approaches to screening, and to the examination of screening with neurological disorders, prenatal care, cardiovascular conditions, and diabetes and cancer care, among others. This book is sure to capture the attention of any clinician with a stake in depression screening.