title: Behavioral health referrals in pediatric epilepsy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a behavioral health referral protocol and barriers to behavioral health care in a pediatric epilepsy clinic. A sample of 93 youth with epilepsy ages 10-17 and caregivers completed behavioral health and seizure severity measures during a routine epilepsy clinic visit. Key findings are that 47 (50.5%) of the youth screened positive for a behavioral health referral, and 35 of these youth were referred for behavioral health services. However, only 20% made and presented for the behavioral health appointment. The most commonly cited barrier for accessing and utilizing behavioral health care was stigma related- a mental health label for the child. The significance of this study lies in the revelation that solely screening for and educating caregivers about behavioral health symptoms and providing behavioral health referral information is not an ideal model. Instead, stigma related barriers point to the necessity of continued integrated physical and behavioral health care within the pediatric epilepsy visit.
authors: College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. Electronic address: wagnerjl@musc.edu.
authors: Janelle L
authors: JL
authors: Wagner
authors: Division of General Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors: Pamela L
authors: PL
authors: Ferguson
authors: Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors: Tanja
authors: T
authors: Kellermann
authors: College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors: Gigi
authors: G
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA.
authors: Byron
authors: B
authors: Brooks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D057545:Social Stigma
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants
keywords: Behavioral health referrals; Behavioral health screening; Depression; Pediatric epilepsy; Stigma