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Mental Health Specialist
10-15 minutes

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Template

The PHQ-9 template is an essential resource for psychiatrists and mental health practitioners to evaluate and document depression severity in patients. Utilizing the PHQ-9 scoring system, this template assesses symptoms like disinterest, sleep disturbances, and hopelessness. It enables clinicians to determine depression severity levels, from minimal to severe, and evaluate the functional impact on a patient's daily activities. When integrated with s10.ai, this template ensures precise and efficient documentation, facilitating the creation of effective treatment plans. Perfect for mental health evaluations, this template optimizes the assessment process.

1,898 uses
4.2/5.0
D
Dr. Michael Thompson
Template Structure

Organized sections for comprehensive clinical documentation

Patient Details:
- Name: [Patient full name]
- Birth Date: [Patient date of birth]
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PHQ-9 Assessment Scoring:
(Apply PHQ-9 scoring guidelines: Not at all = 0 points, Several days = 1 point, More than half the days = 2 points, Nearly every day = 3 points. Record score and timing for each question. Exclude patient quotes.)
1. Lack of interest or enjoyment in activities: [PHQ-9 score and associated PHQ phrase/timing (e.g., "0 = Not at all")]
2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless: [PHQ-9 score and associated PHQ phrase/timing (e.g., "0 = Not at all")]
3. Difficulty with sleep patterns: [PHQ-9 score and associated PHQ phrase/timing (e.g., "0 = Not at all")]
4. Low energy or fatigue: [PHQ-9 score and associated PHQ phrase/timing (e.g., "0 = Not at all")]
5. Changes in appetite or overeating: [PHQ-9 score and associated PHQ phrase/timing (e.g., "0 = Not at all")]
6. Negative self-perception or feelings of failure: [PHQ-9 score and associated PHQ phrase/timing (e.g., "0 = Not at all")]
7. Difficulty concentrating: [PHQ-9 score and associated PHQ phrase/timing (e.g., "0 = Not at all")]
8. Noticeable changes in movement or restlessness: [PHQ-9 score and associated PHQ phrase/timing (e.g., "0 = Not at all")]
9. Suicidal thoughts or self-harm considerations: [PHQ-9 score and associated PHQ phrase/timing (e.g., "0 = Not at all")]
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Overall PHQ-9 Score: [Sum of all scores]
Depression Severity:
(Use the following scale to assess severity based on the total score.)
- 1–4: Minimal depression
- 5–9: Mild depression
- 10–14: Moderate depression
- 15–19: Moderately severe depression
- 20–27: Severe depression
Depression Severity Level: [Insert severity based on total score]
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Impact of Symptoms on Functionality:
How challenging have these issues made it for the patient to perform work, manage home responsibilities, or interact with others? [Not difficult at all / Somewhat difficult / Very difficult / Extremely difficult]
Sample Clinical Note

Example of completed documentation using this template

Patient Information:
- Patient Name: John Doe
- Date of Birth (DOB): 15 March 1985
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PHQ-9 Clinical Scoring:
1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things: 2 = More than half the days
2. Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless: 3 = Nearly every day
3. Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much: 1 = Several days
4. Feeling tired or having little energy: 2 = More than half the days
5. Poor appetite or overeating: 1 = Several days
6. Feeling bad about yourself – or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down: 2 = More than half the days
7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television: 1 = Several days
8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite – being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual: 0 = Not at all
9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way: 1 = Several days
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Total PHQ-9 Score: 13
Depression Severity:
- 1–4: Minimal depression
- 5–9: Mild depression
- 10–14: Moderate depression
- 15–19: Moderately severe depression
- 20–27: Severe depression
Depression Severity Level: Moderate depression
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Functional Impact of Symptoms:
How difficult have the above problems made it for the patient to do their work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people? Somewhat difficult
Clinical Benefits

Key advantages of using this template in clinical practice

  • The PHQ-9 Clinical Scoring Template is an essential tool for healthcare professionals seeking to accurately assess and document depression severity in patients. This comprehensive template utilizes the widely recognized PHQ-9 scoring system, allowing clinicians to evaluate key symptoms such as interest levels, mood, sleep patterns, energy, appetite, self-perception, concentration, psychomotor changes, and suicidal thoughts. By systematically scoring each symptom, practitioners can determine the total PHQ-9 score and categorize depression severity from minimal to severe. Additionally, the template includes a section to assess the functional impact of symptoms on daily activities, providing a holistic view of the patient's mental health status. Implementing this template in clinical practice enhances diagnostic accuracy, supports treatment planning, and facilitates ongoing patient monitoring. Explore the PHQ-9 Clinical Scoring Template today to improve patient outcomes and streamline mental health assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this template and its usage

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