Characteristics of Providers Using a Child Psychiatry Access Program.

Abstract

Child psychiatry access programs (CPAPs) help increase access to mental health services. This study aimed to provide information on the types of pediatric primary care clinicians (PPCCs) who call Maryland's CPAP. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regressions were conducted with data from 676 PPCCs who called Maryland's CPAP at least once between October 2012 and June 2019. On average, PPCCs contacted Maryland's CPAP 6.8 times. Providers who called seven or more times were more likely to have an allopathic or osteopathic medicine degree and to specialize in pediatrics. Providers calling from rural regions were less likely to call only for referrals. Most PPCCs contacted the CPAP for consultation or referrals but not both. PPCCs in rural areas were more likely to call for consultation, suggesting that they may be more likely to manage the care of patients with mental health conditions themselves, because of a lack of resources in their locations.