Questions concerning which screening instrument to use, whether these instruments require specific competencies, who to screen, and how often, are common. They are also complex and in some cases difficult questions to answer; however, with the growing numbers of patients seen in primary care,
there is an urgent need for practical advice. This review summarizes the need for improved recognition of depression in diabetes, and makes recommendations based on expert opinion, with regard to integration of screening in routine primary care. The emphasis is on pragmatic solutions to efficiently detect andmanage patients with co-morbid depression and/or distress within the confines of a busy general medical practice.
It should be borne in mind, however, that screening in the absence of a structured approach to case management, has not been shown to be effective.