APA Dictionary of Psychology

any short, validated screening tool, typically consisting of one to four items, used to quickly identify individuals who may be experiencing depression, anxiety, distress, substance use risk, or other mental health concerns. Commonly administered in primary care and other health settings, these tools are designed to balance high sensitivity to detect potential cases with acceptable specificity, signaling when more comprehensive assessment is warranted rather than providing a diagnosis. Examples include the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire and the single-item Distress Thermometer, used in oncology and other clinical contexts. See also brief psychosocial screening.