This page explains the content and coding for the Depression (PHQ-9) questionnaire.
To learn more about questionnaires, see the what are questionnaires help page or the how to send a questionnaire guide.
On this page:
Questionnaire content
Text message
Dear Jennifer*,
Wilburton Medical Practice would like to ask a few questions about how you're feeling.
Your answers will help your GP to give you advice for mental health and when to seek care.
To answer the questions, please click here: <link to questionnaire>.
Introduction Screen
A few questions about how you’re feeling
Dear Jennifer,We would like to ask a few questions about your mental health. Your answers are private and only used by your GP to give you advice on when to seek care.
It should only take 2 minutes. Please answer as honestly as you can.
Thank you,
Wilburton Medical Practice
Questions and answers
1. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem?
Little interest or pleasure in doing things
- Not at all (score 0)
- Several days (score 1)
- More than half the days (score 2)
- Nearly every day (score 3)
2. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem?
Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
Not at all (score 0)
Several days (score 1)
More than half the days (score 2)
Nearly every day (score 3)
3. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem?
Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much
Not at all (score 0)
Several days (score 1)
More than half the days (score 2)
Nearly every day (score 3)
4. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem?
Feeling tired or having little energy
Not at all (score 0)
Several days (score 1)
More than half the days (score 2)
Nearly every day (score 3)
5. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem?
Poor appetite or overeating
Not at all (score 0)
Several days (score 1)
More than half the days (score 2)
Nearly every day (score 3)
6. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem?
Feeling bad about yourself – or that you’re a failure or have let yourself or your family down
Not at all (score 0)
Several days (score 1)
More than half the days (score 2)
Nearly every day (score 3)
7. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem?
Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
Not at all (score 0)
Several days (score 1)
More than half the days (score 2)
Nearly every day (score 3)
8. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem?
Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or, the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual
Not at all (score 0)
Several days (score 1)
More than half the days (score 2)
Nearly every day (score 3)
9. Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by the following problem?
Thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way
Not at all (score 0)
Several days (score 1)
More than half the days (score 2)
Nearly every day (score 3)
Result screens
Scores of 4 or less
Keep taking care of yourself
Thank you. Your answers have been sent to your GP practice.
Your answers indicate that you do not have clinical depression. But if you are concerned, we recommend speaking to your GP. They will be able to assess your mental health and give advice on how to get more help and support.For more information, you can read NHS advice on how to look after your mental health.
Scores of 5-9
Talking therapy could help you
Thank you. Your answers have been sent to your GP practice.
You seem to be feeling low at the moment, but your answers suggest that you do not have clinical depression.We recommend that you consider talking therapy. For more information, read NHS advice on how to access talking therapy .
To help support and improve your mental health, you can also read about NHS self-care tips, guides and tools
Score of 10-27
Keep taking care of yourself
Thank you. Your answers have been sent to your GP practice.
Your answers indicate that you do not have clinical depression. But if you are concerned, we recommend speaking to your GP. They will be able to assess your mental health and give advice on how to get more help and support.For more information, you can read NHS advice on how to look after your mental health.
Coding
When the SMS is sent to the patient EMIS and S1
Depression screening using Patient Health Questionnaire Nine Item score (procedure)
SCTID: 715252007
When the patient completes the questionnaire
EMIS
Patient Health Questionnaire Nine Item score (observable entity)
SCTID: 720433000
S1
Depression Screening Using Questions
CTV3 code: XaLIc
The PHQ-9 score is entered as a free text alongside this record.
Coding the PHQ-9 score directly into S1
A technical limitation means we cannot yet code the PHQ-9 score directly into S1. We are working to fix this issue. While we do this, we have configured MJOG to code to S1 that a depression screening has been completed, and free text the score alongside. This issue is not present in EMIS.
How to give feedback
As always, we’d love to hear your feedback about our questionnaires.
To request a new questionnaire or suggest changes, please fill in our request form.