Physician Utilization of a Universal Psychosocial Screening Protocol in Pediatric Primary Care. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shellman, Alison B.; Meinert, Allison C.; Curtis, David F.
• Is Part Of: Clinical pediatrics. Volume 58:Number 9(2019)
• Page Start: 957
• Page End: 969
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: pediatric primary care -- behavioral health -- universal screening -- Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1177/0009922819845878
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-9228

Abstract

This study evaluated physicians' utilization of a universal psychosocial screening protocol within a pediatric primary care setting. Pediatricians (n = 20) adopted a multitiered screening algorithm using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 (PSC-17) within well-child checkups (WCC) for children, ages 7 and 11 years. Descriptive analyses were performed to evaluate the initial 3 years of physician screening protocol implementation to: (1) determine frequency and proportion of use and (2) examine patient outcomes associated with accessing behavioral health care. Physicians frequently initiated the protocol, administering the PSC-17 within 3678 WCC encounters, with frequency progressively increasing over the 3-year period. Results highlighted elements of screener utilization, cost-effectiveness, screening algorithm fidelity, and prevalence of psychosocial concerns identified. Secondary implementation challenges were observed after initial screening, specific to implementation of prescribed follow-up procedures. Primary care behavioral health collaborations appear helpful for improving universal screening utilization and cost-effectiveness, and for ensuring children with psychosocial problems are identified early and directed to follow-up care as needed.