Ophthalmologists perceived usefulness of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) for evaluating the mental health of patients with chronic eye diseases

Purpose: To evaluate the awareness of ophthalmologists about assessing the mental health of patients and usefulness of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) survey. Methods: This web-based survey was performed in 2020 at an eye hospital in Saudi Arabia. Participants included ophthalmologists and physicians. Participants were queried on the need to assess mental health of patients, usefulness of the screening tool, and barriers to assessment. Their responses were graded on a Likert scale and Rasch analysis was performed. Results: Of the 100 participants, 72 were aware of assessing mental health of eye patients and 82 expressed about limited skills for such assessment. The median score for perceived usefulness of the PHQ-9 as screening tool to suspect depression was -1.0 (inter quartile range, -1.0: 0.0) [Mean Rasch score = -0.735]. The median score of perceived usefulness for the GAD-7 as screening tool to suspect anxiety was -1.0 (inter quartile range, -1.0: 0.0) [Mean Rasch score = -0.695]. The PHQ-9 related score was significantly correlated to "30-39 years" age group (Kruskal Wallis p = 0.04) and non-Saudi professionals (Mann Whitney p = 0.005). The GAD-7 related score was significantly correlated to non-Saudi professionals (Mann Whitney p = 0.04). The mental health related score was significantly and negatively correlated to the "40-59 years" age group (Kruskal Wallis p = 0.04). Conclusions: Although awareness of mental health assessment was high, eyecare professionals felt with inadequate training for performing the screening. PHQ-9 seems to be more acceptable to screen for depression than GAD-7 for screening anxiety.