Screening Adherence for Depression Post Stroke: Evaluation of Outpatients, a London Experience (SAD PEOPLE)

BACKGROUND: Post stroke depression (PSD) is common, and the transition home following discharge may be especially challenging for stroke survivors. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine how well specific Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for PSD screening were adopted within a stroke rehabilitation outpatient clinic before and after the utilization of a standardized clinical form. METHODS: Practices were evaluated through retrospective chart review before and after the implementation of the standardized form which cued physicians to administer the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) at the first outpatient visit. Participants included those aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of stroke. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five subjects' charts were reviewed. Form implementation was associated with increased rates of PSD screening (93.8% versus 0%) and charting regarding mood (55.4% versus 15.7%). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the frequency of depressive symptoms in an outpatient cohort and demonstrates how screening rates can be improved by using a standardized form. Routine PHQ-9 completion at the first outpatient visit was associated with more physician-patient discussion and documentation regarding mood.