Enhancing Pediatricians’ Behavioral Health Competencies Through Child Psychiatry Consultation and Education

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess feasibility, utilization, perceived value, and targeted behavioral health (BH) treatment self-efficacy associated with a collaborative child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) consultation and BH education program for pediatric primary care practitioners (PCPs). Eighty-one PCPs from 41 member practices of a statewide pediatric practice association affiliated with an academic medical center participated in a program comprising on-demand telephonic CAP consultation supported by an extensive BH learning community. Findings after 2 years of implementation suggest that the program was feasible for large-scale implementation, was highly utilized and valued by PCPs, and was attributed by PCPs with enhancing their BH treatment self-efficacy and the quality of their BH care. After participation in the program, nearly all PCPs believed that mild to moderate presentations of common BH problems can be effectively managed in the primary care setting, and PCP consultation utilization was congruent with that belief.

To What Extent Can Digitally-Mediated Team Communication in Children’s Physical Health and Mental Health Services Bring about Improved Outcomes? A Systematic Review

“…Of the seven studies, six underwent quality appraisal using EPHPP [ 45 ] ([ 47 – 52 ]) and two underwent quality appraisal using the quality framework for qualitative studies by the UK Cabinet [ 46 ] ([ 50 , 53 ]). Four studies received a weak rating [ 49 – 52 ].…”

“…Of the seven studies, six underwent quality appraisal using EPHPP [ 45 ] ([ 47 – 52 ]) and two underwent quality appraisal using the quality framework for qualitative studies by the UK Cabinet [ 46 ] ([ 50 , 53 ]). Four studies received a weak rating [ 49 – 52 ]. Studies for CYP mental health were low quality due to the use of post-test designs [ 49 , 50 , 52 ], non-validated survey measures [ 51 , 52 ], lack of description of approach to analysis [ 50 , 51 ], no discussion of underlying assumptions and ideological perspectives [ 50 ], and potential effects of co-interventions on the results [ 50 , 52 ].…”

“…Four studies received a weak rating [ 49 – 52 ]. Studies for CYP mental health were low quality due to the use of post-test designs [ 49 , 50 , 52 ], non-validated survey measures [ 51 , 52 ], lack of description of approach to analysis [ 50 , 51 ], no discussion of underlying assumptions and ideological perspectives [ 50 ], and potential effects of co-interventions on the results [ 50 , 52 ]. One study received a moderate rating, with a limitation that the outcome assessors were not blinded to the intervention arm [ 47 ].…”

“…Five studies used digitally-mediated team communication to enhance expertise and practice of frontline staff in community primary care settings [ 48 – 52 ], one study in a community mental health setting [ 53 ], and one study in an Emergency Department setting [ 47 ]. The seven included studies represent research predominantly located in the United States of America (86%), with one study carried out in Canada [ 53 ].…”

“…The seven included studies represent research predominantly located in the United States of America (86%), with one study carried out in Canada [ 53 ]. All studies were published in the last decade, of which three were published in the last three years [ 47 , 50 , 52 ]. Two studies were controlled clinical trials (CCTs) [ 47 , 48 ], and five were service evaluations: three were post-test survey studies [ 49 , 50 , 52 ], one was a pre/post survey study [ 51 ], and one was a longitudinal observational study [ 53 ].…”