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PHQ-4: A very-brief screening scale for anxiety, depression

    by Kelly O'Shea, Inquirer
    Published 

Penn's Abramson Cancer Center is screening patients with a very brief survey called the PHQ-4 that is designed to flag patients with anxiety, depression or both.

Clinicians ask patients to fill out a questionnaire and then add scores from the four questions.  Scores are considered normal at 0 to 2, mild at 3 to 5, moderate at 6 to 8 and severe at 9 to 12. Penn offers a face-to-face conversation with a social worker to anybody who scores 6 or higher.

Patients can decline to take the test or see a social worker. They can also talk to a social worker even if their score is lower.

Here is a sample of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4):

Name: ____________________________________
Due Date/ Delivery Date: __________________
Today's Date: _____________________________

Over the past 2 weeks have you been bothered by these problems?

Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge
0 - Not at all
1 - Several days
2 - More days than not
3 Nearly every day


Not being able to stop or control worrying
0 - Not at all
1 - Several days
2 - More days than not
3 Nearly every day


Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
0 - Not at all
1 - Several days
2 - More days than not
3 Nearly every day


Little interest or pleasure in doing things
0 - Not at all
1 - Several days
2 - More days than not
3 Nearly every day


The thought of harming myself has occurred to me (circle one): No or Yes

Your total?