Which Pediatricians Comanage Mental Health Conditions?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric healthcare
• Mental health services
• Child psychology

Background:

• Mental health conditions (MHC) are prevalent in children, necessitating pediatrician involvement in treatment.
• Despite this, many pediatricians do not manage or comanage common MHC, even with on-site mental health support.
• This study investigates factors influencing pediatricians' engagement in managing pediatric MHC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify physician, practice, and training characteristics associated with pediatricians comanaging at least half of their patients with MHC.
• To understand the impact of specialized training and interest in mental health on pediatricians' management of child mental health.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of survey responses from 305 general pediatricians in the American Academy of Pediatrics 2013 Periodic Survey.
• Utilized weighted univariate, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
• Key variables included on-site mental health provider presence, perceived access to services, sociodemographics, and training experiences in mental health.

Main Results:

• Pediatricians completing at least 4 weeks of developmental-behavioral pediatrics training showed 1.8 times increased odds of comanagement.
• Those very interested in further mental health education had 2.75 times increased odds of comanagement.
• Increased training in mental health medication treatment was associated with 1.4 times increased odds of comanaging pediatric MHC.

Conclusions:

• Specific educational experiences, particularly in developmental-behavioral pediatrics and medication management, are significantly linked to higher rates of pediatric MHC comanagement.
• A strong interest in further mental health education strongly predicts increased comanagement.
• Enhanced mental health training for pediatricians is a crucial strategy to improve the comanagement of children with mental health conditions.