USPSTF Recommends Screening Adults for Depression When Support for Care Is Available

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a new guideline about screening for depression in adults. The task force conducted a systematic review to update evidence that had formed the basis for its 2002 recommendation (JW Gen Med Jun 4 2002, which supported screening in clinical practices that had systems to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up.

The USPSTF now recommends screening adults for depression only when staff-assisted depression care supports are in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up. B recommendation (moderate certainty that the net benefit is moderate; the grading system can be accessed on the USPSTF website.) The USPSTF recommends against routine scree…