Managing Depression In The Primary Care Setting

Depression in the primary care setting – super common. Combine a shortage of mental health providers, months-long waiting lists, and increasing numbers of patients with symptoms, and it’s easy to see how depression is becoming a leading primary care health concern. If you feel unsure or unprepared for these patient encounters, you are in the right place.

Depression in Primary Care

This week, we’re taking some of the mystery out of working with patients with depression in the primary care setting and replacing it with practical approaches to helping patients. We’ll cover:

✅ Red flags of depression assessment, and how to handle them when you find them

✅ Key resources you need to know out at your clinic (and outside your clinic)

✅ What differentials to watch out for

✅ Approach to medications, and important factors to consider

There is an entire specialty track within the Nurse Practitioner world (PMHNP) that is designed to treat patients with mental health concerns. As Family Nurse Practitioners, there are limits to what is appropriate for us to treat – but with the right tools, some practice, and some preparation, we can certainly help our primary care patients experiencing this very common concern. 

SI assessment questions here

PHQ-9 Screening here

Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)

(FYI: to slow down the audio speed, hit the gear symbol in the bottom right corner and change it to .75x or .5x. Closed captions are also located at the bottom R  corner of the video.)

Accessibility Matters: Read The Transcript Here

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• Managing Anxiety in Primary Care for New Nurse Practitioners
• Treating Patients With Insomnia
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