Depression assessment overview

Introduction

Our Depression assessment is a preventive tool that improves health outcomes while also driving consumer engagement and patient acquisition. In order to do both, it gathers and weighs users’ self-reported information to gauge whether they are potentially at risk for depression, with the aim of encouraging those who are at risk to make an appointment with their healthcare provider. Even if a user isn’t at risk, the assessment is designed to educate and empower them to seek future screening when necessary. 

Data-driven design

WebMD Ignite HealthAdvisor utilizes clinical propensity models to identify consumers with a high likelihood of need for your goal service, and that data informs the content and function of this assessment. With most users taking a next step following completion of the assessment, your custom calls to action can be a key driver in motivating an already highly-activated audience.

Medical basis and rigorous review

Our assessment’s definition and calculation of risk are rooted in factors provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. And like all of our content, the entire assessment is rigorously reviewed and updated according to the standards outlined below:

Three-tier peer review of all content 

• Initial clinician review
• External review by SMEs across full range of clinical expertise
• Final clinician review

Continuous review of 180+ sources

• Every content asset reviewed on a 24-month cycle
• Expedited revisions of applicable pieces for any change in clinical standards
• Real-time content creation for emerging issues (e.g. COVID-19)

Product description

Our assessment estimates a user’s eligibility based on the following factors:

• Frequent feelings and behaviors associated with depression
• Related mental health factors or other mood disorders
• Physical activity
• Sleep habits
• Smoking and alcohol consumption
• Family history
• History of trauma
• Related health conditions

Once complete, the assessment gathers the user’s contact information and generates a results page, including overviews of the 5 most significant factors contributing to eligibility. It also provides an overall result based on the user’s cumulative response.

Overall results

While the results page displays more granular and nuanced information for explanatory and educational purposes, the overall assessment generates one of two primary outcomes:

• The user’s answers tell us they may be at risk for depression
  • Users with this result are encouraged to make an appointment with their healthcare provider.
• The user’s answers tell us their risk for depression is likely low at this time
  • Users with this result are encouraged to stay up-to-date on their risk factors and recommended screenings, and to consult with their healthcare provider if they have any questions.