Utilization and Outcomes of Direct Consultation in a Child Psychiatry Access Program
What is it about?
• Child psychiatry access programs for pediatricians play a key role in expanding access to psychiatric expertise for children and adolescents. • We present findings from one such program suggesting that consultation with child psychiatrists enabled pediatricians to themselves manage the majority of cases referred for consultation, even those with moderate severity and some degree of complexity. • If pediatricians can manage mild to moderate psychiatric disorders in the primary care setting with consultative support, then child and adolescent psychiatrists can be conserved for the most severe and complex cases.
Why is it important?
Consultation with child psychiatrists in a Child Psychiatry Access Program, enabled pediatricians to themselves manage the majority of cases referred for consultation, thus improving access to care