• Erin M Staab, Wen Wan, Amanda Campbell, Stacey Gedeon, Cynthia Schaefer, Michael T Quinn, and Neda Laiteerapong.
• University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. estaab@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu.
• J Gen Intern Med. 2022 Sep 1; 37 (12): 293129402931-2940.

BackgroundDepression is most often treated by primary care providers (PCPs), but low self-efficacy in caring for depression may impede adequate management. We aimed to identify which elements of integrated behavioral health (BH) were associated with greater confidence among PCPs in identifying and managing depression.DesignMailed cross-sectional surveys in 2016.ParticipantsBH leaders and PCPs caring for adult patients at community health centers (CHCs) in 10 midwestern states.Main MeasuresSurvey items asked about depression screening, systems to support care, availability and integration of BH, and PCP attitudes and experiences. PCPs rated their confidence in diagnosing, assessing severity, providing counseling, and prescribing medication for depression on a 5-point scale. An overall confidence score was calculated (range 4 (low) to 20 (high)). Multilevel linear mixed models were used to identify factors associated with confidence.Key ResultsResponse rates were 60% (N=77/128) and 52% (N=538/1039) for BH leaders and PCPs, respectively. Mean overall confidence score was 15.25±2.36. Confidence was higher among PCPs who were satisfied with the accuracy of depression screening (0.38, p=0.01), worked at CHCs with depression tracking systems (0.48, p=0.045), had access to patients' BH treatment plans (1.59, p=0.002), and cared for more patients with depression (0.29, p=0.003). PCPs who reported their CHC had a sufficient number of psychiatrists were more confident diagnosing depression (0.20, p=0.02) and assessing severity (0.24, p=0.03). Confidence in prescribing was lower at CHCs with more patients living below poverty (-0.66, p<0.001). Confidence in diagnosing was lower at CHCs with more Black/African American patients (-0.20, p=0.03).ConclusionsPCPs who had access to BH treatment plans, a system for tracking patients with depression, screening protocols, and a sufficient number of psychiatrists were more confident identifying and managing depression. Efforts are needed to address disparities and support PCPs caring for vulnerable patients with depression.© 2021. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society of General Internal Medicine.

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