Integrating Behavioral Health Screenings

Integrating Behavioral Health Screening in Workers’ Compensation Care

The role of behavioral health in Workers’ Compensation (WC) care has historically been underrecognized. One of the primary challenges in gaining industry-wide acceptance is the lack of objective diagnostic evidence. While physical injuries can be confirmed through imaging or electrodiagnostic studies—such as fractures on X-rays, tumors on CT scans, or nerve damage via nerve conduction tests—conditions like depression, anxiety, trauma, and pain are more complex, subjective, and often invisible.

Over the past decade, the importance of behavioral health in injury recovery has gained traction in Workers’ Compensation. Yet, stigma remains, and many stakeholders continue to underestimate the value of timely, evidence-based behavioral health intervention. At ProMedView, we are committed to changing that.

Our Approach: Making the Invisible Measurable

A core component of our strategy is the integration of standardized, validated assessment tools into the treatment process. These tools help us:

  • Quantify symptom severity.

  • Track progress over time.

  • Objectively demonstrate clinical outcomes.

  • Strengthen our message that behavioral health interventions improve recovery trajectories and reduce claim duration.

Best Practices for PMV Providers

To support this initiative, the following screening tools are now available in the ProMedView Provider Portal:

Please incorporate at least one of these assessments during your initial intake session and at the conclusion of treatment. A brief discussion of the results should be included in your documentation.

If you currently use another validated behavioral health screening tool and would prefer to continue, let us know—we are happy to review and add it to the portal.

Scoring and Interpretation Guidelines

PHQ-9 (Depression Severity)

  • 0–4: Minimal

  • 5–9: Mild

  • 10–14: Moderate

  • 15–19: Moderately Severe

  • 20+: Severe

GAD-7 (Anxiety Severity)

  • 0–5: Minimal

  • 6–10: Mild

  • 11–15: Moderate

  • 16–21: Severe

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

  • 0–9: Minimal to No Depression

  • 10–18: Mild Depression

  • 19–29: Moderate Depression

  • 30–63: Severe Depression

Clinical Interpretation: What the Scores Mean

Minimal Depression/Anxiety
The individual is likely functioning well with minimal disruptions in mood or behavior. While transient stress or sadness may occur, these symptoms do not interfere significantly with daily life.

Mild Depression/Anxiety
Symptoms are present and may affect mood, motivation, or concentration. Though functional capacity is typically preserved, support or brief interventions can prevent escalation.

Moderate Depression/Anxiety
Symptoms are more pronounced and likely interfere with work, relationships, or daily routines. Treatment is recommended, including counseling and/or medication, to restore function and prevent chronicity.

Severe Depression/Anxiety
Marked impairment is evident. Individuals may be socially withdrawn, experience hopelessness, or have difficulty maintaining basic activities. Immediate intervention is critical to ensure safety and facilitate recovery.

Next Steps

✅ Log into the Provider Portal to access these tools.
✅ Begin integrating screenings into your intake and discharge workflow.
✅ Document results and clinical interpretation in your initial and follow-up notes.
✅ Share any additional tools you use that may be a good fit for our portal.

Together, we are advancing the standard of care in Workers’ Compensation—bringing measurable outcomes to the behavioral health landscape and fulfilling our mission of Building Resilience, Restoring Lives.

If you have questions or need support, please contact us at 407-988-4090 or consult@promedview.com. We are here to support you!


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Delainne Bond

Delainne Bond, BSN, RN, holds dual degrees in Nursing and Neuropsychology. She is the Principal Consultant with ProMedView, Founder of the covidCAREgroup, and a PRIMA Board Member with the Tampa, Florida chapter.

Recognized as a leader in clinical solutions for complex injuries and illnesses, Delainne has a broad spectrum of clinical experience including Workers’ Compensation, acute and critical care in the hospital setting, occupational medicine, and community health.

In the national Workers’ Compensation arena, Delainne is a CEU Educator, and her experience includes leadership, risk management, catastrophic case management, mass casualty incident response, critical incident management, and provider network development.

Since the event of the pandemic, Delainne has devoted her clinical expertise to researching Long COVID, offering education and resources on a global scale through the covidCAREgroup.

In addition to educating providers, clinicians, attorneys, case managers, and nurses, Delainne has published many articles about Long COVID with ~6 million views in 2022. She runs the largest clinical social media support groups in the world with followers and collaborators including physicians, clinicians, and business leaders from 110 countries.

https://www.promedview.com
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