Diagnostic Tools

Aetna Depression Management uses the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as the primary diagnostic tool for depression. Specifically developed for use in the primary care setting, this brief, nine-item depression assessment relies on data self-reported by the patient. The nine items on the PHQ-9 come directly from the nine signs and symptoms of major depression specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV). The PHQ-9 has demonstrated usefulness and acceptable reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity.

In addition to serving as the primary diagnostic tool, the PHQ-9 can be used to measure the severity of depression and monitor the patient’s response to treatment.

 Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Print this copy of the PHQ-9 to use in your practice.

 Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in Spanish
The PHQ-9 is also available in Spanish.

 How To Score the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
It is easy to score the PHQ-9 and use the results to determine the next step in treatment.