| 2024 Core Educator Education Scholarship Retreat | Categories Abstract

Role of a Peer-led, Clinic-based Mental Health Integration Curriculum in Pediatrics Resident Education

by Kristen Durbin, MD ↓; Yuji Wakimoto, MD ↓; Joni Hemond, MD ↓ & Kristi Kleinschmit, MD ↓

Abstract

Objective: To improve pediatrics intern comfort with primary care mental health concerns through peer-led mental health integration (MHI) education.

Background: Although pediatricians often provide mental health care for children, 65% of those surveyed by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2013 felt underprepared to do so. Triple Board (TB; pediatrics, adult psychiatry, child/adolescent psychiatry) residents at our institution are uniquely suited to educate peers through interdisciplinary work.

Methods: An optional, anonymous needs assessment gauged interns’ baseline comfort with diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, behavior disorders, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and trauma. During MHI half day, TB residents lead interns in an Intro to MHI lecture, patient visits, and small group learning.

Results: Survey response rate was 28/33 (85%) interns. Percentage reporting discomfort with diagnosis of: ADHD (32%), depression (14%), anxiety (14%), behavior disorders (71%), ASD (61%), trauma (68%). Percentage reporting discomfort with treatment of: ADHD (57%), depression (21%), anxiety (29%), behavior disorders (71%), ASD (75%), trauma (75%).

Conclusion: Interns had more comfort with mental health diagnoses than treatment; they had less comfort with ASD, trauma and behavior disorders. Our data confirm the value of pediatric trainee mental health didactic and clinical education and will shape curriculum interventions.

References

  1. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. “A guide to building collaborative mental health care partnerships in pediatric primary care.” 2021. https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/clinical_practice_center/guide_to_building_collaborative_mental_health_care_partnerships.pdf
  2. Durette L, Oden C, Rudig N, Parikh N. “Clinicians’ Experience with a Graduate Medical Education Implemented Child Psychiatry Access Program.” Academic Psychiatry. 25 September 2023
  3. Green C, Leyenaar JK, Nuncio B, Leslie LK. “Where Do Future Pediatricians Learn Behavioral and Mental Health Skills?” Academic Pediatrics. 2021;21:1288−1296
  4. Green C, Leyenaar JK, Turner AL, et al. “Competency of Future Pediatricians Caring for Children With Behavioral and Mental Health Problems.” Pediatrics. 2020;146(1):e20192884
  5. McMillan JA, Land M, Leslie LK. “Pediatric Residency Education and the Behavioral and Mental Health Crisis: A Call to Action.” Pediatrics. 2017;139(1):e20162141


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Role of a Peer-led, Clinic-based Mental Health Integration Curriculum in Pediatrics Resident Education by Kristen Durbin, MD, Yuji Wakimoto, MD, Joni Hemond, MD & Kristi Kleinschmit, MD