Knowledge and Training Needs of Paediatric Trainees in Mental Health

To evaluate perceived skill level and training needs of paediatric trainees regarding the assessment and initial management of mental health presentations commonly seen in paediatric settings.

An anonymous survey link was sent out to paediatric trainees with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.

There was a total of 99 respondents representing 92% of Irish paediatric hospitals. 98% of trainees (n=96) reported previously being involved in the management of a child with a mental health disorder. Although the vast majority of trainees (93.6%, n=78) reported seeing an increase in the number of paediatric patients presenting to hospital with a mental health component to their presentation, only 8% of trainees felt well prepared in dealing with child and adolescent mental health issues.

Trainees report seeing an increasing number of young people with mental health struggles in the context of paediatric illness. With the increase in presentations of young people to the emergency departments with mental illness as a presenting complaint or as a component of their presentation trainee respondents recognise the need to have good skills in mental health concern detection and initial management. The results of this study indicate needs for more training supports in this area.