Hi Grace,
Great idea!
My initial thoughts:
I might not be understanding right, but don’t you just want to increase PCP depression screening for depression among elderly (#A2)? I think screening is the first step before linkage. That said, I’m wondering if one of the barriers might be referral options for older adults (lack of geriatric psychiatrists). Focus groups with PCPs might get at this.
What is the exact data on PHQ-2 update by PCPs? If I understand what you were saying in class, many PCPs screen for depression among younger folks, but not so much elderly. Or, was it that the screening was OK, but the treatment was poor (due to the “lack of faith” in treatment). This should all be clarified in your proposal so it's easy for the reader.
To address Ralphs question, I don’t think that PHQ-9 decreases suicidality—since the suicidality is a symptom—but it increases detection of suicidality and depression and the increased identification should increase referral and treatment which should reduce suicide rates.
You need to figure out if there are special places to link this geriatric population.
Looking forward to seeing this great proposal evolve.
christina