What is the use of the Total Severity Score for PHQ-2 to PHQ-9?

The Total Severity Score for the PHQ-2 to PHQ-9 is utilized primarily as a standardized measure to communicate the level of severity of depression symptoms to healthcare providers. By converting responses into a numerical score, it facilitates a clear understanding of the patient's condition, allowing for more effective clinical decision-making and treatment planning. The score helps in tracking changes over time, particularly in response to treatment, making it a valuable tool for ongoing assessment.

Utilizing this scoring system ensures that healthcare providers can easily compare a patient's severity of symptoms against established benchmarks. This communication is essential for guiding interventions and ensuring that patients receive appropriate levels of care, based on the severity of their condition.

While it may provide insights that contribute to diagnosing depression, the primary function rests in its ability to communicate severity effectively. The other options misrepresent the role of the Total Severity Score; it is indeed useful in developing a patient's care plan, as understanding symptom severity is critical to providing effective treatment.