Behavioral Pediatrics: Can Practice Patterns Change?

Despite efforts to increase pediatricians' participation in diagnosis and management of mental health conditions, limited progress has been made.

Practice guidelines, continuing medical education programs, and journal articles in the past decade were a stimulus for pediatricians to increase their participation in the diagnosis and management of behavioral conditions and learning problems. How effective has this effort been?

Researchers surveyed a random sample of 1600 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) members in 2004 and 2013 to examine changes in screening, treatment, management, and referral for five conditions: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, behavior problems, and learning problems. Response rates were 52% in 2004 and 37% in 2013.

Between 2004 and 2013, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of respondents who usually inquired or…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics