Setting the referral process in motion: a case study with teaching objectives

Pediatric collaboration with mental health professionals is necessary due to the high prevalence of behavioral and emotional disorders in this population. Clinicians frequently encounter parental resistance to acceptance and follow-through on recommended mental health services. In addition, physicians may have difficulty recognizing and referring psychosocial problems due to inadequate training or experience. The case presented of a 10-year-old girl with enuresis illustrates the process of referring a patient with a behavioral problem from a general pediatrician to a mental health specialist. The behavioral pediatrician plays a critical role in providing linkage between medical and psychosocial care.