Medical and psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents: a guide to issues and treatment approaches.
Chronic medical illness among children and adolescents is a growing concern with implications for informal and formal caregivers. When coupled with a psychiatric comorbidity, implications grow exponentially. Nurses who care for child and adolescent populations play a crucial role in optimizing physical and mental health when they interface with patients and their caregivers. Evidence-based interventions can promote positive outcomes and enhance quality of life, whereas failure to use evidence-based approaches has serious consequences to the health of youth with medical and psychiatric comorbidities.
El-Mallakh
Peggy
P
University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Lexington, KY 40536-0232, USA. peggy.el-mallakh@uky.edu
Howard
Patricia B
PB
Inman
Stacey M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing*; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology