PC2084: Increasing Competency with Behavioral/mental Health Care in the Primary Care Medical Home

Background:

Background: US pediatric mental health is in crisis. Although 1 in 5 children currently experience behavioral/mental health issues, only 20% of these children receive the appropriate care they need. In order to support our clinicians in meeting this need, we implemented a new mental health training program for all clinicians at our pediatric primary care clinics. We sought to assess changes in clinician knowledge and comfort level in the treatment and management of children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), anxiety disorders (AD), and major depressive disorders (MDD).

Methods:

Methods: Participants included physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Participants completed 1 of 7 online interactive training sessions created to increase their competency in diagnosing, treating, and managing behavioral/mental health disorders. Surveys were completed between September 2020 and March 2022. Participants completed pre and post self-administered surveys before and after training. Responses were recorded on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4 (great deal). Data were abstracted using an online survey platform and analyzed using STATA 16 (College Station, TX). Median scores and score differences were calculated for each of the major diagnoses of interest. Matched statistical techniques using Wilcoxon matched pairs sign rank tests were conducted to measure pre post differences.

Results:

Results: A total of 180 clinicians completed the training. 144 (80%) clinicians completed both the pre and post online surveys used for this analysis. Baseline and post score differences for clinician knowledge and comfort in diagnosing, treating, and managing ADHD, AD, and MDD are provided in Table 1. Clinician knowledge and comfort in assessing and diagnosing, as well as treatment and management increased significantly for each of the major behavioral/mental health conditions (p values < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Conclusions: Brief clinician training significantly improved physician, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant knowledge and comfort in diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity, anxiety, and major depressive disorders. These comprise the majority of the behavioral/mental health disorders presenting in our clinics. As a result, we are better able to care for the whole patient. This model of clinician training can be used by other practices to facilitate better behavioral/mental health care in the primary care medical home to meet this growing demand.