A patient centred approach to measuring outcomes in psycho‐oncology services: The PHQ‐8 as a viable alternative to the PHQ‐9

Key points Clinicians should consider using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)‐8 as a preferable alternative to the PHQ‐9 for measuring outcomes in psycho‐oncology services There is compelling research demonstrating equivalency between the PHQ‐8 and PHQ‐9 in assessing for depression and measuring symptom severity Psycho‐oncology service users may object to the wording of the 9th item in the PHQ‐9 which intends to screen for suicidal ideation...