Child psychiatrists fill gap by providing consultation to primary care pediatrics

Abstract

We are in the midst of a child mental health crisis in the United States. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that up to 20% of all children have a mental health disorder and the rates of adolescent depression and suicide are increasing. Partnered with these high levels of mental health disorders is a workforce shortage in the area of child and adolescent psychiatry. Although the number of child psychiatrists has increased in the last 10 years, there are still not enough providers to meet the demand. Unfortunately, the shortage of child psychiatrists often necessitates that pediatric primary care providers (PPCPs) manage children's mental health. However, mental health training for pediatric residents is minimal, with over half of general pediatricians who are recent graduates of pediatric residency programs indicating that they need (or want or would benefit from) additional training in mental health. Increasing the demands on PPCPs to manage mental health without increasing access to child psychiatry services is unlikely to improve the outcomes for children and adolescents.