Abstract
Often the burden of identifying children with behavioral or developmental problems is left up to the primary care physician (PCP). However, previous literature shows that PCPs consistently underidentify children with developmental/behavioral problems in pediatric primary care. For the current study, questionnaires containing three vignettes followed by questions addressing common psychosocial problems, general questions about their practice and training, and the Physician Belief Scale were distributed to physicians. Results indicated that physicians were better at identifying severe problems, had more difficulty identifying psychosocial problems with mild symptomatology, and tended to refer to a medical specialist or mental health professional more often for severe problems, depression or a developmental problem. Physicians tended to view treating psychosocial problems favorably.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
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Anxiety Disorders / psychology
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Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy*
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Attitude of Health Personnel
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Child
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Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis*
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Child Behavior Disorders / psychology
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Child Behavior Disorders / therapy*
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Clinical Competence
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Depressive Disorder / diagnosis*
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Depressive Disorder / psychology
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Depressive Disorder / therapy*
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Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis*
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Developmental Disabilities / psychology
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Developmental Disabilities / therapy*
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District of Columbia
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Family Practice
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Mental Health Services
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Middle Aged
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Pediatrics
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Physician's Role / psychology
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Physician-Patient Relations*
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Primary Health Care
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Referral and Consultation*
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Surveys and Questionnaires