title: Referral by pediatricians of children with behavioral health disorders.
abstract: A standard interview guide focused on behavioral health referral practices and communication patterns was developed and administered to 47 pediatricians in private practice. Results suggested that the most frequent reasons for referral to a mental health provider were diagnostic uncertainty, failure to respond to treatment, presence of severe affective symptoms, and need for ongoing psychotherapy. Only a third of the providers indicated that their patients frequently followed through with recommendations to receive mental health care. More than half of the pediatricians wanted more information regarding their patients referred for mental health services, and they expressed a strong interest in colocation with a mental health provider.
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1060, USA.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palmes
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klinepeter
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pulley
authors.forename: Jane Meschan
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Foy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008605:Mental Health Services; D010372:Pediatrics; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation