The Pediatric Psychiatry Colocalized Consult Clinic: An Innovative Care Model and Curricular and Practice Solution

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychiatry
• Medical Education
• Child Mental Health

Background:

• Pediatric mental health care access is limited.
• Pediatric residency programs require enhanced mental health training.
• Integrated care models can improve access and training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a colocalized pediatric psychiatry consultation clinic.
• To assess the impact on pediatric residency training.
• To determine the clinic's effect on pediatric mental health care access.

Main Methods:

• Established a pediatric psychiatry clinic within an academic medical center.
• Pediatric residents supervised by child and adolescent psychiatrists.
• Tracked patient visits, diagnoses, and resident confidence over 10 years.

Main Results:

• Completed over 1,500 patient visits, serving more than 400 unique patients.
• Most common diagnoses included attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and anxiety.
• Residents reported increased comfort and confidence in diagnosing and treating common pediatric mental health conditions.

Conclusions:

• The integrated care model effectively improves pediatric mental health access.
• This model provides valuable training for pediatric residents.
• Colocalized clinics are a viable solution for enhancing child psychiatric services.