Inpatient Pediatric Psychology Consultation-Liaison Practice Survey: Corrected version.

Abstract

The specialty of pediatric psychology inpatient consultation-liaison (CL) continues to grow despite limited research examining practice and training approaches. With increasing need to justify services, the current study surveyed pediatric inpatient CL psychologists on their institutional, practice, and training characteristics to highlight areas of strength and growth needed to advance inpatient CL practice. Members of the Society of Pediatric Psychology (N ϭ 118) completed an anonymous online survey assessing institution characteristics, service activity and practice characteristics, training, billing and funding issues, research activity, and perceptions of inpatient CL practice. Respondents represented diversity in years of practice, institution type, institution size, and department. There was significant variability in the nature of inpatient CL coverage, number of CL psychologists, and professional composition of the CL team. Psychology trainees play a significant role on many CL services.Editor's Note. Jennifer Verrill Schurman served as the action editor for this article.-JSP

Practice Patterns Revisited in Pediatric Psychosomatic Medicine

“…Similar to the Kullgren et al 14 pediatric consultation-liaison psychologist survey, trainees in both psychiatry and psychology play a significant role in the provision of inpatient PPM services. Regarding other disciplines, there appeared to be some increased usage of social workers and nurse practitioners in contrast to our prior survey, perhaps reflecting the financial incentive associated with the use of lower cost employees.…”

“…These findings are similar to those reported by the Kullgren et al survey of inpatient pediatric psychologists. 14 Community programs may be even less likely to incorporate these tools. Although this lack of usage may be a direct function of the increased clinical demands on consultants and the part-time positions of most PPM clinicians, the use of available validated pediatric tools must be considered in routine care as well in the development of multisite networks to advance PPM clinical care and understand effect on health care costs.…”

“…In this survey, less than half of the programs reported any engagement in psychosomatic medicine research, despite being based in academic medical centers. When arguing for the utilization of evidence-based treatment protocols, Kullgren et al 14 showed that few services are involved in outcomes or health service delivery research. Research to show the added value of PPM consultation must become a higher priority to document the need for expansion and more funding to hospital administrators and departments of psychiatry/pediatrics for expansion and funding.…”

“…13 A 2015 survey of pediatric consultation-liaison psychologists again highlighted the diversity of setting and practice characteristics across programs. 14 The current survey was conducted to revisit the aforementioned 2006 PPM survey. The survey goal was to make data available on current practice patterns in academic PPM programs regarding their service composition, clinical consultation services, changes in service demand, funding, and major challenges so as to inform and gain more support for children and families in their need for responsive and effective PPM services.…”

The multidisciplinary pediatric psycho‐oncology workforce: A national report on supervision for staff and training opportunities

“…Psychology graduate students and interns/residents may have general pediatric rotations, but more intensive and specialized training in pediatric cancer is more likely during fellowship. 21 Consultation-liaison psychiatrists often work in oncology but may or may not have specific oncology training. The availability of psychiatrists could be addressed by increasing exposure of child psychiatry trainees to this population and by identifying psychiatrists in affiliated programs who can develop the needed expertise.…”