The Mental and Behavioral Health Services Available to Children With Medical Complexity in Complex Care Programs

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Behavioral Health Services
• Child Health

Background:

• Children with Medical Complexity (CMC) often have unmet behavioral health needs.
• Existing care models may limit access to essential mental and behavioral health services for CMC.
• Understanding current service provision is crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the provision and integration of behavioral health services in pediatric complex care programs.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to accessing behavioral health care for CMC.
• To explore the perspectives of complex care programs on behavioral health integration.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey of complex care programs.
• Convergent mixed methods analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Examination of service utilization rates and program characteristics.

Main Results:

• CMC receive behavioral health services at rates comparable to the general pediatric population.
• Externalizing behaviors were the most common concern reported.
• Integrated care models improved access and caregiver mental health screening.
• Key themes included limited access, desired collaboration, and the importance of family mental health support.

Conclusions:

• Despite high service use, complex care programs face challenges in meeting the behavioral health needs of CMC.
• Integrated care and enhanced collaboration are vital for improving access and outcomes.
• Addressing the mental health needs of families is integral to comprehensive care for CMC.