title: Please break the silence: Parents' views on communication between pediatric primary care and mental health providers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of parents' preferences regarding the sharing of information between their children's primary care and mental health providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-five parents with a child who was actively engaged in mental health treatment completed an anonymous survey while accompanying their child to either a primary care or mental health clinic appointment. This brief measure elicited parents' experiences with and preferences for treatment coordination across their children's primary care and mental health providers, with a focus on communication practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents consistently described communication among their children's primary care and mental health providers as important, yet frequently reported that such communication was not currently taking place. Further, parents reported that they were often called upon to act as "communication bridges" between professionals caring for their children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implications for the collaborative pediatric and mental health care of children as well as recommendations for improving communication between mental health and pediatric providers are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry.
authors.forename: Julian D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.affiliation: Integrated Care Consultant.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ward-Zimmerman
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Hartford.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
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