Reliability and convergent validity of the PHQ-2 for the rapid detection of depressive symptoms in healthcare professionals in Argentina

Introduction The prevalence of depressive symptoms among healthcare professionals has increased significantly, highlighting the need for valid and reliable ultra-rapid screening tools in high-demand clinical settings. Objective To analyze the reliability and convergent validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) among healthcare professionals in Argentina. Method A cross-sectional eHealth study was conducted with 2,835 healthcare professionals (47% men, 53% women) working in public (57.2%) and private (42.8%) institutions. Participants completed the PHQ-2, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and Mini-Z scales in two phases, with a three-month interval. The convergent validity of the test was determined by comparing it with the original version of the PHQ, an anxiety test (GAD-7), and a burnout test (Mini-Z). In addition, internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and McDonald's omega coefficient. Results The PHQ-2 showed a unidimensional structure, explaining 73% of the variance, and demonstrated strong convergent validity, with high correlations with the PHQ-9 (r = 0.836; p < 0.001) and the GAD-7 (r = 0.724; p < 0.001), and a moderate correlation with the Mini-Z (r = 0.568; p < 0.001). Internal consistency was satisfactory (α = 0.75; ω = 0.85), confirming its reliability as a screening tool. Conclusions The PHQ-2 is a valid and reliable instrument for the ultra-rapid detection of depressive symptoms in healthcare professionals in Argentina. Its strong psychometric properties and brief format make it a useful tool for mental health screening in high-demand healthcare settings.