PHQ 9 test

PHQ 9 test

PHQ-9 Test

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 test, The PHQ-9 test is a go to depression test that's a brief,
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 test is a self-report screening tool clinical practitioners use to assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms in adults.
PHQ-9 incorporates the nine criteria for depression from the DSM-5.

How PHQ-9 Works

The PHQ-9 consists of nine questions about symptoms experienced over the last two weeks.
Each question is scored on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day), adding up to a total score ranging from 0 to 27. The final question specifically screens for the presence of suicidal ideation.

Interpretation of PHQ 9 Scores

The total PHQ-9 score helps healthcare professionals determine the severity of depression, which guides treatment plans. A score of 10 for PHQ-9 or greater has a high sensitivity and specificity for major depression.

PHQ-9 Score

Depression Severity

0–4

None-minimal depression

5–9

Mild depression

10–14

Moderate depression

15–19

Moderately severe depression

20–27

Severe depression

Important PHQ 9 Limitations

Not a Sole Diagnostic Tool

The PHQ-9 is a screening instrument intended for clinical documentation and screening purposes only; it may not be a substitute for a comprehensive clinical diagnosis by a qualified healthcare professional. In Canada, an official diagnosis can typically only be provided by a qualified healthcare professional such as a licensed physician, psychiatrist, or registered clinical psychologist. Registered and licensed therapists utilize these results to inform their treatment plans and advocate for their clients.

Developers and Copyright

The PHQ-9 was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, and Kurt Kroenke, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc. The instrument is now in the public domain, and no permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute it. Canada Online Therapy acknowledges the developers and original copyright holders (© 1999 Pfizer Inc.). PRIME MD TODAY is a trademark of Pfizer Inc.

Reference: Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(9):606-613.

Suicide Risk

Any positive response to question 9 regarding thoughts of self-harm or being better off dead requires immediate clinical assessment and a safety plan. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of harming themselves, call or text a suicide and crisis hotline.

Accessibility

The PHQ-9 is in the public domain and available for free use and download in many languages from resources like PHQ Screeners.

Canada Online Therapy sends clients individualized hyperlinks to save our tests within your profile in our janeapp online profile calendar; you will be sent a specialized link for your test for file documentation and safe keeping if you should require this information in your patient case development and for advocation purposes.

Where we have used PHQ 9 test results:

Upon request, clients are asked to fill out the PHQ 9 test for individualized reasons, such as:
evidence building for a lawyer's case for such unforunate events as:

Car accidents

Short-term disability

Long-term disability cases

Medical sick leaves required in workplace or school environments, if and when needed.

Sample PHQ 9 test

Note: This is a sample reference only. Clients will be sent individualized links to complete their PHQ-9 assessment if required on a case-by-case basis to protect your confidentiality which we protect as paramount. Thank you.

Lee Park, RCT 25-002, MACP, BPsych Hons

Owner, Canada Online Therapy

www.canadaonlinetherapy.com

lee(at)canadaonlinetherapy.com

canadaonlinetherapy.janeapp.com

Call/text: (514) 746 4673 

Fax: (800) 808 6629

Canada Online Therapy
www.canadaonlinetherapy.com

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