Primary Care Perspectives on a Pediatric Mental Healthcare Access (PMHCA) Program

Area of Science:

• Pediatric mental health
• Healthcare systems
• Collaborative care models

Background:

• Pediatric mental health care access (PMHCA) programs are designed to improve youth mental health.
• These models aim to enhance physicians' and other healthcare professionals' (PHCPs) confidence and skills in treating pediatric psychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a PMHCA program on PHCPs.
• To identify key themes related to the program's effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 25 PHCPs enrolled in the KSKidsMAP program.
• Interview transcripts were independently reviewed by three researchers to identify themes, with discrepancies resolved through consensus.

Main Results:

• Seven key themes emerged: Awareness and Education, Resources and Access to Care, Comfort and Confidence, Visibility, Collaboration, Reimbursement and Financial Barriers, and Holistic Care.
• Participants reported enhanced skills and improved pediatric access to mental health care.
• Recommendations included expanding specialist services, increasing program visibility, improving education, workforce expansion, interprofessional collaboration, and reimbursement reform.

Conclusions:

• PMHCA programs offer significant benefits in supporting PHCPs to provide pediatric mental health care.
• The findings underscore the importance of collaborative models in addressing gaps in youth mental health services.