[Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry Consultation: A National Level Analysis]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) impact motor, social, language, and cognitive skills across the lifespan.
• Continuity of care for NDDs is vital from childhood through adulthood.
• Existing research indicates significant barriers to accessing adult healthcare for NDDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current state of adult neurodevelopmental disorder care within psychiatric departments.
• To identify challenges faced by physicians in managing patients with NDDs transitioning to adulthood.
• To assess the perceived need for specialized adult NDD services and training.

Main Methods:

• A national, cross-sectional, anonymous survey was distributed to psychiatry physicians.
• The survey was conducted between October 6 and December 6, 2020.
• Data were collected from 83 psychiatry physicians (residents and specialists).

Main Results:

• Only 16.9% of psychiatric departments had specialized neurodevelopment clinics.
• Most physicians (72.3%) saw few or no NDD patients weekly.
• Clinics often lacked multidisciplinary teams (64.3%), and patient transitions were poorly protocolized (15.7%).
• A significant majority (88%) recognized the need for adult NDD clinics and reported insufficient specialized training.

Conclusions:

• Significant barriers exist in providing continuous care for NDD patients into adulthood.
• Key challenges include lack of physician training, poor inter-departmental communication, and insufficient specialized services.
• Establishing dedicated neurodevelopmental disorder clinics with multidisciplinary teams and clear transition protocols is essential.