Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
08:25
Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
1.3K
Universal Psychosocial Screening in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Control Trial.
Rebecca Liu1,2, Alyssa Chong2,3, Jeffrey N Bone4
1Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
|March 4, 2026
Summary
The MyHEARTSMAP screening tool identified children with high psychosocial burden. While overall intervention rates were similar, children with positive MyHEARTSMAP screens received more psychosocial interventions, showing its promise for pediatric mental health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Child Mental Health
- Healthcare Screening Tools
Background:
- Hospitalized children face significant psychosocial challenges.
- Existing screening methods may not adequately address these needs.
- The MyHEARTSMAP tool was developed for psychosocial self-screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare psychosocial intervention rates between children screened with MyHEARTSMAP during hospitalization and those screened post-discharge.
- To explore resource utilization 3 months after hospital discharge.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial in an emergency department involving 289 admitted children.
- Intervention group: MyHEARTSMAP screening during admission, results shared with clinicians.
- Control group: Standard care, MyHEARTSMAP screening post-discharge. Health records reviewed for management and follow-up.
Main Results:
- Overall psychosocial intervention rates were 40.4% (intervention) vs. 32.9% (control), not statistically significant (p=.109).
- Among children with positive screens, intervention rates were significantly higher in the intervention group (41.3%) vs. control (25.1%) (p=.0318).
- Post-discharge service engagement at 3 months was modest.
Conclusions:
- Universal screening using MyHEARTSMAP can identify children at higher risk for psychosocial burden.
- MyHEARTSMAP demonstrates potential as an accessible tool for addressing pediatric psychosocial needs.
- Targeted screening may improve intervention uptake for at-risk youth.
