Recorded presentation

Karen Ann Hacker, MD, MPH¹, Deborah Weidner, MD², Lan Jenner, MPH¹, Jeanne McBride, RN BSN MM³, and David Link, MD⁴. (1) Institute for Community Health, 119 Windsor Street, Ground Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617-665-3829, KHacker@challiance.org, (2) Ambulatory Child Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, 1493 Cambridge St., Macht Bldg-3rd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, (3) Cambridge Pediatrics, Cambridge Health Alliance, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02139, (4) Department of Pediatrics, Cambridge Health Alliance, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

One in ten children in the United States suffers from mental health problems that impact their lives. In 1999, The Surgeon General specifically called upon pediatricians to improve screening and referral for child mental illness. The Cambridge Health Alliance introduced mental health screening in its pediatric clinic using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC). A clinical social worker under the supervision of Child Psychiatry was co-located in the practice. Initial discussions with pediatricians revealed that although the majority (72%) felt prepared to discuss psychosocial issues with their patients, only 14% felt they had enough time to do so, and 100% felt they were inadequately reimbursed. Implementation required a multi-pronged approach including, development of flow processes that minimized burden to providers, changes in child psychiatry referral procedures, joint planning efforts, and creative approaches to administrative issues. Data from an incidence collection found that 10% of those screened scored above the cut-point. Of these, 30% were already in counseling. Parents of 6% of the children who scored below the cut-point requested counseling for their children. This suggests that screening for mental health issues in pediatric settings not only identifies those at immediate risk who have not received assistance, but those who have yet to experience major issues. This presentation will focus on implementation of screening for mental health in pediatric settings, obstacles to success, and results to date. When Child Psychiatry and Pediatrics work together in a coordinated fashion, they are better able to address the social and emotional needs of children.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe the use of mental health screening tools in pediatric practices
• Describe an integrated model for mental health and Pediatrics
• Identify challenges to integration

Keywords: Child and Adolescent Mental Health, People-Caused Deaths

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Recorded presentation