Impact of Screening for Mental Health Concerns on Health Service Utilization and Functional Status in Primary Care Patients

Abstract

The 16-item first-stage Symptom-Driven Diagnostic System for Primary Care screening questionnaire for mental disorders can identify primary care patients who are at risk for lower functional status and higher utilization. Use of the Symptom-Driven Diagnostic System for Primary Care second-stage diagnostic modules in patients who screened positively for mental disorders was associated with lower utilization rates but had no impact on functional outcome or patient satisfaction after 3 months.