title: Providers' Behaviors and Beliefs on Prescribing Antipsychotic Medication to Children: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: Fragmentation in behavioral and mental health care to children has resulted in suboptimal care and high rates of psychotropic medication use, especially antipsychotic medications (APM). A qualitative study, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), aimed to better understand prescribing practices, barriers to optimal treatment, and potential interventions to safeguard the use of APM for children in Kentucky. The most common barrier to optimal care was access to mental health specialists. Social norms and pressure from families contribute to increased medication use. We identify promising interventions to safeguard the use of APM through the lens of the TPB.
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: W David
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Lohr
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Kyle B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Brothers
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah Winders
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Carla A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Lesa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Yana
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Feygin
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Research Design and Support (CAHRDS) Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA. gil.liu@louisville.edu.
authors.forename: Gilbert C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007629:Kentucky; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D036301:Qualitative Research
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: Antipsychotic medications; Childhood; Qualitative methods; Theory of Planned Behavior