Effectiveness of a Reminder Prompt to Screen for Diabetes in Individuals With Depression

Significant correlation exists between depression and diabetes. The effectiveness of a reminder prompt was examined to screen individuals with depression for diabetes. Eight behavioral health providers at 5 clinics treated 152 patients with depressive symptoms randomized to either a prompt or nonprompt condition. It was hypothesized that the prompt condition would engage higher rates of individuals in diabetes screening. The reminder prompt increased assessments of body mass index and diabetes risk factors (χ2 = 16.9, P < .001) and ordering of hemoglobin A1C tests (95% confidence interval, 2.57-15.64, P < .001). Results suggested the benefit of a structural intervention for behavioral health providers to screen for diabetes.