The Psychiatric Assistance Line: Six-Month Follow-up on Consultations to Primary Care

The shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists in the United States has resulted in more and more patients presenting to primary care clinics with mental health concerns. Consequently, clinicians often find themselves dealing with issues outside their expertise. The Psychiatric Assistance Line was created in 2014 to connect primary care clinicians with mental health professionals for consultations and provide assistance with psychiatry referrals. This article looks at the use of the service and outcomes following its first six months of operation.