Open AccessA pediatrician‐friendly review of three common behavioral health screeners in pediatric practice: Findings and recommendations
Author(s) -
Trafalis Sandra,
Giannini Courtney,
Joves Jeremy,
Portera Saige,
Toyama Hannah,
Mehta Anika,
Basile Krista,
Friedberg Robert D.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
pediatric investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2574-2272
DOI - 10.1002/ped4.12246
Subject(s) - anxiety , medicine , checklist , health care , clinical practice , psychiatry , primary care , depression (economics) , identification (biology) , family medicine , clinical psychology , psychology , botany , biology , economics , cognitive psychology , macroeconomics , economic growth
Behavioral health concerns are surging in pediatric practices. Fortunately, integrated behavioral/medical health clinics are growing and child psychiatrists/psychologists are increasingly embedded in these care settings to help shoulder the clinical load. Routine screening of behavioral health problems in primary care facilities enables early identification and treatment. However, deciding on sound, efficient, and scalable screening measures is sometimes arduous. Accordingly, this article presents a clinician‐friendly review of three common instruments useful in screening pediatric behavioral health concerns including anxiety, depression, and conduct problems. Psychometric findings and clinical applications of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist‐17 (PSC‐17), the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) are delineated. Finally, clinical implications and recommendations for practicing pediatricians and child psychiatrists are offered.