Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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The reality of emergency health care in the United States today requires new approaches to mental health in the emergency department (ED). Major depression is a disabling condition that disproportionately affects women. ⋯ ED providers rarely addressed depression. Qualitative analysis of significant patient-provider interactions regarding depression found that screening for depression in the ED can be accomplished with minimal expenditure of provider time and effort. Attention to psychosocial risk factors has the potential to improve the quality of ED care and patient satisfaction.