Assessing feasibility of routine identification tools for mental health disorder in neurology clinics.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to test the feasibility of using an online parent-completed diagnostic assessment for detecting common mental health disorders in children attending neurology clinics. The assessment does not require intervention by a mental health professional or additional time in the clinic appointment.
SETTING: Two parallel and related screening studies were undertaken: Study 1: Tertiary paediatric neurology clinics. Study 2: Secondary and tertiary paediatric neurology clinics. PATIENTS: Study 1: 406 Young people aged 7-18 attending paediatric neurology clinics. Study 2: 225 Young people aged 3-18 attending paediatric epilepsy clinics.
INTERVENTIONS: Parents completed online versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and Development and Well-being Assessment (DAWBA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We investigated: the willingness of families to complete the measures, proportion identified as having mental health disorders, time taken to complete the measures and acceptability to families and clinicians.
RESULTS: The mean total difficulties score of those that had completed the SDQ fell in the 'high' and 'very high' ranges. 60% and 70% of the DAWBAS completed met criteria for at least one DSM-IV disorder in study 1 and 2 respectively. 98% of the parents reported that the screening methods used were acceptable. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.