Lessons Learned in a Physician Referral to Pediatric Telemental Health Services Program

dc.contributor.authorPignatiello, A., Stasiulis, E., Solimine, C., Ayad, O., & Boydell, K. M.
dc.date.accessioned2021-12-01T18:26:56Z
dc.date.available2021-12-01T18:26:56Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractThis study explores the physician referral and engagement process of a pediatric telemental health program based in a large urban teaching children’s hospital, and identifies the processes, strengths and challenges from the perspectives of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) and telepsychiatrist consultants. Methods A mixed methods approach was used. This included an online survey completed by 43 PCPs in Ontario rural communities who had referred patients to the telemental health program. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 child/adolescent telepsychiatrists who provide consultations via teleconferencing. Results The majority of PCPs (61%) reported somewhat to moderate satisfaction with referral experiences. Challenges identified by physicians were related to communication and administration issues including: lack of timely follow-up appointments and continuity of care; lengthy referral forms; and recommendations for mental health services not accessible in their communities. Similarly, psychiatrist consultants expressed frustration with the sparse information they received from referring physicians and most significantly, the absence of appropriate service providers/professionals during the consultation to provide collateral information and ensure uptake of recommendations. Conclusion Telemental health programs provide a valuable service to PCPs and their child and youth clients that could be significantly enhanced with a different consultation model. Such models of service delivery require protocols to educate PCPs, improve communication and information sharing and establish clear expectations between PCPs and telepsychiatry consultants.en_US
dc.identifier.citationPignatiello, A., Stasiulis, E., Solimine, C., Ayad, O., & Boydell, K. M. (2019). Lessons learned in a physician referral to pediatric telemental health services program. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 28(3), 99.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6863575/
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/5280
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherJournal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatryen_US
dc.subjectInternational Resourcesen_US
dc.subjectCanadaen_US
dc.subjecttelemental healthen_US
dc.subjecttelepsychiatryen_US
dc.subjectprimary careen_US
dc.subjecttraumaen_US
dc.subjecttreatmenten_US
dc.titleLessons Learned in a Physician Referral to Pediatric Telemental Health Services Programen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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