The “GHU-Checkist”: Validity and acceptability of a 17-words checklist for rapid screening of depressive symptoms and anxiety

Early detection of psychiatric disorders in general hospital settings could facilitate a systematic assessment anxiety and depression, lessen their non-detection, misdiagnoses subsequent negative impacts. We built new short screening tool with simple Yes/No questions on depression examined its diagnostic capacity acceptability. Our cross-sectional study included 608 patients an emergency department at Parisian hospital. Their depressive symptoms were assessed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7). Participants also completed ‘GHU-checklist’, list 17 words evoking moods or feelings. Sensitivity specificity checklist determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. 22.7% participants had as measured by PHQ-9, while 25.4% suffered from moderate severe anxiety. Most perceived positively GHU-checklist, which sensitivity 81.5% distinguishing symptoms. was 86.0% for 94.7% The ranged 64.3% to 71.1%. A 17-words is able ultra-rapidly screen non-psychiatric medical settings, patients. Its use rapid these symptoms, especially crowded under-staffed such department.