title: [Child psychiatry: limited research, evidence for cost-effectiveness of treatment].
abstract: Research into cost-effectiveness of treatment of child psychiatric disorders is extremely limited. There are two main reasons for this: it's a new field and the type of research required is intrinsically complicated.<br/> AIM: To review selected articles that reveal the prevalence of child psychiatric disorders, demonstrate the complexity of cost-efficiency research in child psychiatry and point to the possible benefits of appropriate treatment.<br/> METHOD: We provide an overview of a selected number of articles dealing with the prevalence of child psychiatric disorders and the costs involved, we stress the diffulty of assessing whether current treatment is cost-effective and we describe the possible benefits of treatment.<br/> RESULTS: However, the limited number of articles that we located do indicate that the treatment of children with psychiatric disorders is cost-effective. Not only does it benefit the child, it also eases the burden on the parents and on society as a whole. Findings need to be interpreted in the light of the limited scope and shortcomings of the research done so far.<br/> CONCLUSION: Although current research seems to be cost-effective, we stress the need for further investigations, particularly in the form of longer-term studies.
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Vermeiren
authors: J
authors: J
authors: van der Meer
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D065886:Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome