Abstract

Background: Depressive symptomatology in health professionals associated with viral crises is highly prevalent globally, being its detection a priority. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyze the convergent validity and internal consistency of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) in healthcare professionals. Method: E-Health study where cross-sectional data was collected online (n = 725), from 281 general practitioners, 237 specialist doctors and 207 nurses during the Colombian quarantine, between April 20 and August 10, 2020. Average age 41.3 years (± 8.76). 38.4% were men (278) and 61.6% women (447). 66.1% of health personnel treated patients infected with coronavirus and 33.9% did not provide these services. The 9-item version of the PHQ was administered, validated in the Colombian population together with the 2-item version of the PHQ. Results: A high correlation was found between the scales (r = .860, P <0.001), demonstrating the convergent validity of the PHQ-2 to measure depressive symptomatology. The internal consistency of the PHQ-2 was adequate, with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.80 (I.C. = 0.76 - 0.83). Conclusions: The PHQ-2 has adequate psychometric standards of reliability and validity, so its rapid administration, easy qualification and interpretation, makes it a reliable and valid instrument for the rapid detection, without work overload, of depressive symptoms in doctors and nurses whether or not they care for patients with viral outbreaks.