Question

Which of the following depression screening tools was not designed in a manner that would allow a client to read/complete the questions independently (therefore requiring a trained healthcare professional to administer it)?

a. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
b. PHQ-9
c. Beck Depression Inventory
d. Both A and B

Answer 1

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) is the depression screening tool that must be administered by a healthcare professional, unlike self-report inventories such as the PHQ-9 and Beck Depression Inventory, which can be completed independently by clients.

Step-by-step explanation:

The depression screening tool that was not designed for independent completion by a client, and therefore requires administration by a trained healthcare professional, is the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) or Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Unlike the other options provided, such as the PHQ-9 and Beck Depression Inventory which are self-report inventories, the HDRS involves an interview conducted by a trained clinician who rates the severity of a patient's depression based on their responses. While the PHQ-9 and Beck Depression Inventory can be completed independently by patients, the HDRS requires the expertise of a healthcare professional to appreciate nuances in symptomatology and thus accurately assess depression severity.