OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence for its feasibility, the usage of mental health screening in primary care practices with overburdened providers and few referral options remains unclear. This study explores the effects of routine screening on mental health problem identification and management in a low-resource setting. METHODS: Medical records of 5 to 12 year-old children presenting for well visits before and after screening was implemented were reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between study period and identification/management practices. Changes in the number of visits and wait times for a co-located referral service were assessed post hoc. RESULTS: Parents disclosed more mental health problems, and providers initiated more workups but referred fewer patients after screening was implemented. The proportion of new visits and wait times for the referral service did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Even in low-resource settings, screening may facilitate parental disclosure and increase clinical attention to mental health problems without overburdening referral services.
OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence for its feasibility, the usage of mental health screening in primary care practices with overburdened providers and few referral options remains unclear. This study explores the effects of routine screening on mental health problem identification and management in a low-resource setting. METHODS: Medical records of 5 to 12 year-old children presenting for well visits before and after screening was implemented were reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between study period and identification/management practices. Changes in the number of visits and wait times for a co-located referral service were assessed post hoc. RESULTS: Parents disclosed more mental health problems, and providers initiated more workups but referred fewer patients after screening was implemented. The proportion of new visits and wait times for the referral service did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Even in low-resource settings, screening may facilitate parental disclosure and increase clinical attention to mental health problems without overburdening referral services.
Authors: Kate E Fothergill; Anne Gadomski; Barry S Solomon; Ardis L Olson; Cecelia A Gaffney; Susan Dosreis; Lawrence S Wissow Journal: Acad Pediatr Date: 2013 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 3.107
Authors: Lawrence S Wissow; Jonathan Brown; Kate E Fothergill; Anne Gadomski; Karen Hacker; Peter Salmon; Rachel Zelkowitz Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2013-08-30 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Alice Charach; Forough Mohammadzadeh; Stacey A Belanger; Amanda Easson; Ellen L Lipman; John D McLennan; Patricia Parkin; Peter Szatmari Journal: J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2020-05-01
Authors: Monica Perez Jolles; Wendy J Mack; Christina Reaves; Lisa Saldana; Nicole A Stadnick; Maria E Fernandez; Gregory A Aarons Journal: Implement Sci Commun Date: 2021-12-20