Screening Assessment for Anxiety and Depression in Primary Care

Integrating behavioral health into primary care plays an important role in health care reform; therefore, incorporating effective and efficient screening methods for anxiety and depression will be key to identifying those at risk. Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a significant role in optimizing successful practical strategies for screening and further assessment of both anxiety and depression. In many cases, collaboration with or referral to a psychiatric NP or clinical nurse specialist is ideal.