The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41778

Bryony N. Orwick, MS, Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Kentucky, 333 Waller Avenue, Suite 202, Lexington, KY 40504-2915, 859-323-6197, bnorwi0@uky.edu, Susan H. Pollack, MD, Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Kentucky Medical Center, 333 Waller Avenue, Suite 202, Lexington, KY 40504-2915, Kathleen M. Chard, PhD, The Center for Traumatic Stress Research, University of Kentucky, 251 Dickey Hall, Lexington, KY 40506, Amy Balentine, MA, University of Kentucky, 333 Waller Avenue, Suite 202, Lexington, KY 40504-2915, Mary E. Fallat, MD, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Louisville, KY 40292, and James Svenson, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-4108.

The goal of this EMSC-sponsored research was to develop and evaluate professional development training materials to share with community and school-based mental health providers regarding severe injury in childhood and its impact on psychosocial functioning of children and families. After reviewing current research literature, identifiers of a wide range of behavioral and mental health needs, as well as factors affecting daily functioning (i.e. academic achievement, peer relationships, and vocational goals)were synthesized in the context of mental health service provision. Research data was obtained from training presented via Powerpoint with initial, one-month, and six-month follow-up evaluations solicited. Evaluations were collected to gain information about practitioners' inquiry of new clients' injury history, changes in their treatment practices for injured children, and percentages of serious injury in their current caseloads. 112 initial training evaluations, 39 one-month follow-up evaluations, and 4 six-month evaluations have been collected thus far. All quantitative evaluation data was collected via a five-point Likert scale. Initial evaluation respondents indicated that their perceived self-efficacy in serving children with severe injury increased after training (pre-training M=2.44; post-training M=3.23) and in serving their families (pre-training M=2.55; post-training M=3.39). With regard to perceived training effectiveness, respondents indicated it had been effective (M=4.27). All follow-up respondents indicated that it is important for mental health professionals to understand the psychological needs of injured children and their families, and trends in six-month follow-up evaluation data suggest that clinicians made long-term changes in assessment and corresponding treatment goals.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants in this session will be able to

• Identify a wide range of behavioral and mental health needs of severely injured children and their families.
• Examine the effects of professional development training on mental health practitioners' provision of diagnostic and intervention services to children and families affected by severe injury.
• Develop means of supporting community mental health providers, the medical community, the school system, and families in collaborative efforts to serve children with severe injury and their families.

Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Injuries

Related Web page: www.kiprc.uky.edu/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Kentucky (Lexington) Emergency Medical Services for Children - targeted issues grant
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.