Psvchiatric Diagnosis and Intervention in Older and Younger Pitients in a Prrmary Care Clinic: Effect of a Screening an& Diagnostic Instrument

use, psychiatric diagnosis, and provider interventions for psychiatric conditions were recorded for eligible patients attending a Veterans Affairs Medical Center primary care clinic. Data from 952 younger (< 65 years) and 1135 older patients (2 65 years) were analyzed to determine whether there were age-related differences in diagnosishtervention and if use of the PRIME-MD modified these differences. INTERVENTION Implementation of the PRIME-MD, a two-step instrument consisting of a self-administered patient questionnaire and a provider-administered structured diagnostic interview. MEASUREMENTS: Outcome measures were rates of (1) PRIME-MD use, ( 2 ) overall psychiatric diagnosis, ( 3 ) new psychiatric diagnosis, and (4) provider intervention for psychiatric conditions.