Depression Screening in a Primary Care Setting: Examining Perceptions and Experiences of English- and Spanish-Speaking Patients

Depression is highly prevalent in primary care settings, but screening rates remain sub-optimal and patients’ screening perspectives are poorly understood. This study examined depression screening experiences and beliefs among primary care patients (N = 100, M_age = 51.9, SD = 17.03, 49% Spanish speakers). Participants completed a survey regarding screening experiences, stigma concerns, and perceptions of screening-related importance, barriers, and concerns. While 83% of participants were screened for depression, only 44.6% had screening results explained. Levels of depression treatment-related stigma concerns were low, with English speakers endorsing higher levels of such concerns. Importance and barriers of screening scores were significantly, negatively correlated r_s = − .52, p < .001. Patients’ self-identification as ‘long-standing’ to the clinic was associated with greater endorsed screening concerns t(98) =  − 2.08, p < .05. Results suggest that improved understanding of patients’ screening-related perceptions and experiences is critical to ensuring delivery of quality care. Communication practices around screening should be studied, reviewed, and revised to ensure the success of screening efforts.