ABSTRACT
Lack of access to support, services, and providers for children and adolescents with mental health conditions is a serious problem in the United States. Fewer than half of the children who need services obtain them. To meet this demand, the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board launched a new specialty certification in 2011 for advanced practice registered nurses called the pediatric primary care mental health specialist (PMHS). In 2016, a job task analysis of the role of the PMHS and nurse practitioners practicing in pediatric mental health and developmental/behavioral pediatrics was conducted. Surveys were completed by 293 respondents. Demographic characteristics, tasks performed in practice, diagnoses made, assessment and screening tools used, and types of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions were obtained and are reported. The roles of the PMHS and nurse practitioner in pediatric mental health are well established and key to expanding services and access to children and their families.
Subject(s)
Allied Health Personnel , Health Services Research , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Mental Health Services/standards , Nurse Practitioners , Pediatrics , Specialization , Adolescent , Allied Health Personnel/education , Allied Health Personnel/standards , Child , Child, Preschool , Education, Nursing, Continuing , Humans , Mental Disorders/therapy , Nurse Practitioners/education , Nurse Practitioners/standards , Nursing Evaluation Research , Pediatrics/education , Pediatrics/standards , Professional Role , Specialization/standards , Task Performance and AnalysisABSTRACT
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 11% of children between the ages of 4 and 17 years. This article discusses performing a comprehensive assessment for ADHD, the use of validated tools to make an accurate diagnosis, physical exam findings that may be suggestive of certain conditions, and ADHD treatment options.
Subject(s)
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/nursing , Nurse Practitioners , Adolescent , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/drug therapy , Central Nervous System Stimulants/therapeutic use , Child , Humans , Nursing Assessment , Young AdultABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) are being asked to care for children with mental health (MH) disorders but cite inadequate training as a barrier. An intensive workshop may improve the PCPs' level of knowledge and lead to an increase in quality care for children with MH disorders. We compared pediatric PCPs' knowledge, comfort, and practice in the evaluation and management of pediatric patients with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders before and after a 2-day educational workshop. METHOD: Study participants (n = 30) were recruited from rural areas of Pennsylvania. A pre- and posttest design was used. A 15-question multiple choice knowledge test and a 19-question survey of comfort and practice were administered before and after the workshop. RESULTS: The mean knowledge test number correct increased from 9.19 before the workshop to 12.23 after the workshop (p < .0001). Survey scores increased from 34.6 before the workshop to 44.14 after the workshop (p < .0001). DISCUSSION: Intensive workshops may be an effective method of training PCPs on provision of MH care in pediatric primary care practice.
