Frequently Asked Questions

What is MoodDoctor™?

MoodDoctor™ is a mental health assessment tool that asks patients questions and organizes responses according to DSM-5 criteria in a simple, straight-forward summary report that allows qualified providers to quickly determine the diagnosis. MoodDoctor asks questions for specific disorders of anxiety, depression, mood disorder and ADHD as well as screening for risls and comorbid conditions. This powerful tool assists primary care providers to easily comply with professional society practice guidelines and document critical information.

Why all PCPs should use a tool like MoodDoctor™.

Better outcomes and better treatment response occur when guidelines of APA and AAFP are followed. This means that after a screening test is positive, the diagnosis needs to be confirmed according to the DSM5 criteria including specific diagnosis (like acute, recurring, persistent chronic, resistant etc.) Document severity and function. Check for and document comorbid conditions. Evaluate risk including bipolar or other mood conditions, substance abuse, psychotic features and suicide risk. MoodDoctor does all this for you, documents every answer and summarizes it in a simple to read report that attaches to patient record.

How does MoodDoctor™ save time?

Asking all of the initial evaluation questions recommended in the AFP guidelines takes approximately 40 minutes. MoodDoctor asks all the questions in advance and documents the answers. Then it organizes the information in an easy-to-review summary that takes only a few minutes to review. Further, because patients interact with a computer, they are more likely to be honest in their responses (reference). MoodDoctor not only saves times, it assists the provider in making the diagnosis, facilitates compliance with professional society guidelines, and assures proper documentation of the encounter.

How does a provider interpret the MoodDoctor™ Summary Report?

The MoodDoctor Summary Report is a one-page document with three sections and an overall score.

Top Section lists possible DSM-5 diagnoses. Patient responses are organized for an easy review of DSM-5 criteria and highlighted if criteria are met. Further, results are listed as Positive or Negative. (ie MDD or GAD)

Middle Section highlights responses that may be significant but not diagnostic. Screening risks are shown.(ie: screeners like substance abuse, psychotic features, PTSD or past treatment response.)

Lower section suggests additional assessments to be completed based on patient responses.

The Score reflects the number of positive responses compared to the total. This may assist providers in assessing severity of illness.

Can MoodDoctor™ be used as a triage tool?

To assist providers in managing mental health evaluation and care, patients can be identified based upon disorder type, severity and complexity. Further evaluation can then be directed to appropriate providers. Individual clinics or providers can set their own triage criteria.

For example:

Green               No disorder suggested.

Yellow             Significant treatable symptoms may need therapy, but DSM5 criteria have not been met.

Orange    DSM5 criteria suggest a specific disorder.

Red                  Preselected triage criteria suggest a disorder in need for prompt additional evaluation and care. (For example: Bipolar mania, psychotic features, high risk of behavior disorder, substance abuse or very high suicide risk.)