Is it time to talk? Understanding specialty child mental healthcare providers' decisions to engage in interdisciplinary communication with pediatricians

Abstract

Communication between pediatric mental health and primary care providers is often inconsistent and frequently rated as unsatisfactory by providers of both disciplines. While numerous studies report pediatricians’ desire for increased feedback from mental health providers, less is known about mental health providers’ perspectives on collaborative communication with pediatricians. In the current qualitative study, 9 practitioners at 2 mental health practices participated in interviews about their experiences related to collaborating and communicating with pediatric providers. The interviews were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis procedures. Mental health providers consistently described the decision to communicate with pediatric primary care providers as occurring primarily when initiated by them, and on a “case by case” basis. Four determinants of the decision to initiate communication emerged from the interviews: severity of client concerns, mental health providers’ own positive beliefs about collaborative/integrative mental health-pediatric care, perceptions of and past experiences with the primary care providers with whom they interact, and professional relationships with specific primary care providers. The findings of this study suggest that understanding and addressing the attitudes and beliefs that underlie both mental health and pediatric health care providers’ decisions to engage in interprofessional communication is essential to establishing truly collaborative care.

Teamwork in clinical genomics: A dynamic sociotechnical healthcare setting

“…The findings build on previous studies exploring factors impacting on teamworking found in more stable healthcare settings. Themes such as the influence of leadership, communication and the importance of learning together reinforce earlier studies, 15,34 and the practical considerations 16 for the organizational factors affecting teamworking. The need for roles to expand and scope of practice to be extended has been identified in clinical practice previously, for example, extended scope physiotherapists (ESPs) in musculoskeletal care 35 (eg, requesting X-rays) and pharmacists in chronic pain clinics 36 (eg, prescribing medication).…”

“…The authors declare there is no conflict of interest. A commitment to working collaboratively, 34,35 designing team based job designs 36 2. Understanding the significance of teamworking in a dynamic setting 3.…”

Psychological screening and consultation in a pediatric diabetes clinic: Medical providers’ perspectives.

“…Regular consultation between medical providers and mental health professionals is now considered a standard of care for youth with diabetes. However, a qualitative study found that mental health professionals typically initiate consultation with pediatricians on a case-by-case basis rather than systematically (Reiss et al, 2017), in line with participants’ observations that they rarely hear from mental health providers outside of the clinic.…”