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A review of behavioral screening practices in pediatric settings: do they pass the test?
1Department of Pediatrics, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA.
Insights
Parental questionnaires effectively identify behavioral problems in children within pediatric settings. However, it remains uncertain if this screening improves physician actions for better child outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Behavioral problems are common in children presenting to pediatric settings.
- Effective identification of these issues is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current behavior screening methods used in pediatrics.
- To assess the impact of screening on physician behavior and child outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on behavior screening tools.
- Analysis of parental questionnaires like the Child Behavior Checklist and Pediatric Symptom Checklist.
- Examination of criteria for implementing screening procedures.
Main Results:
- Parent-completed questionnaires can enhance the identification of child behavioral dysfunction.
- Current evidence does not confirm that screening leads to changes in physician behavior.
- The link between screening and improved child functional outcomes is unclear.
Conclusions:
- Behavior screening in pediatrics, particularly via questionnaires, aids in identifying issues.
- Further research is needed to understand how screening influences clinical practice and child outcomes.
- Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
Abstract:
We reviewed the current status of behavior screening methods, such as parental questionnaires, for identifying behavioral problems in children seen in pediatric settings. Information is organized around basic criteria for implementing screening procedures. We conclude that although use of parent-completed questionnaires, such as the Child Behavior Checklist and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist, can increase identification of child behavioral dysfunction in pediatric settings, it is unclear whether screening will cause a change in physician behaviors necessary to improve child functional outcomes. Clinical and research implications are discussed.