Addressing Access to Child Mental Health Services in Primary Care: Implementation and Feasibility of the Colorado...

Pediatric mental health is a major public health concern worldwide and primary care providers struggle to meet the growing demand for mental healthcare. Child Psychiatry Access Programs have emerged to fill gaps in primary care provider (PCP) training, confidence, and workflow support. This study aimed to describe the iterative development of a Child Psychiatry Access Program and present initial findings on its reach and feasibility in supporting PCPs.

The Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) implementation framework guided the development and evaluation of the program. Pre-implementation surveys and invested partner interviews informed the creation of a multidisciplinary program comprising three components: (1) consultation services and resource navigation, (2) education and training, and (3) provider care guides. The program was then implemented, and reach was assessed via consultation calls, attendance at education and training series, resource navigation encounters, and care guide usage. Feasibility was evaluated through pre- and post-series self-reported ratings across six learning objectives.

Pre-implementation evaluation indicated high provider interest across all educational modalities. The resulting program included consultation services, education and training, resource navigation, and provider care guides. Educational trainings led to significant improvements in self-reported knowledge and confidence across six learning objectives, including assessment, treatment planning, family engagement, and navigating local resources. Resource navigation primarily facilitated ongoing management within the primary care setting, with PCPs retaining care in the majority of cases. Engagement with the Colorado Care Guide demonstrated sustained reach, with over 4600 page views from 1300 active users, reflecting broad and ongoing utilization of program resources. Consultation call data mirrored these trends, highlighting both frequently addressed diagnoses and expanding program reach over time.

Child psychiatry access programs help support access to youth mental health care in the primary care space and offer potential solutions to workforce limitations during an era of increasing mental health concerns in youth and teens. Findings from this implementation may inform adaptation of child psychiatry access programs in other regions seeking to expand mental health support for children and adolescents in primary care settings.