Training Pediatric Psychologists for Perinatal Behavioral Health Services in a Pediatric Hospital

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Perinatal Mental Health
• Pediatric Healthcare

Background:

• Pediatric hospitals typically focus on child and adolescent care.
• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) identified a need for specialized behavioral health services for specific parent populations.
• These populations include parents of infants in the Newborn Infant Intensive Care Unit (NIICU) and pregnant women receiving prenatal care for fetal abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel training program designed to equip pediatric psychologists with skills for perinatal behavioral health services.
• To expand the scope of practice for pediatric psychologists to include adult mental health support for parents.
• To provide a model for other pediatric hospitals to implement similar training programs.

Main Methods:

• Development of a specialized training program for pediatric psychologists.
• Integration of psychologists into the NIICU and Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment.
• Provision of direct mental health services, education, and coping support to parent populations.
• Discussion of psychologists' roles and hospital privileges within these units.

Main Results:

• A training program was successfully developed and implemented.
• The program enables pediatric psychologists to provide essential behavioral health services to targeted parent groups.
• The model facilitates the expansion of psychological services within a pediatric hospital setting.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric psychologists can be trained to provide effective perinatal behavioral health services.
• This model offers a framework for other pediatric hospitals to address the mental health needs of parents facing challenging medical situations.
• Integrating psychologists into specialized units enhances comprehensive family-centered care.