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Contribution title The DAWBA as a decision-making aid in general practice; A new collaborative model for Child and Adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and general practice (GP)
Contribution code D2.183
Authors
  1. Anna Sofie Kjærgaard Hansen Psychiatry - Aalborg University Hospital, North Denmark Region
  2. Solveig Hansine Torgersen Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, North Denmark Region Presenter
  3. Camilla Hoffmann Merrild Faculty of Medicine, Center for General Practice, Aalborg University
  4. Janus Laust Thomsen Faculty of Medicine, Center for General Practice, Aalborg University
  5. Marlene Briciet Lauritsen Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, North Denmark Region
Form of presentation Poster
Topic
  • T48 - Public Health and Organisation of CAP Services
Abstract Aims: GPs experience challenges in assessing and referring children and young people (CYP) with mental health problems to CAMHS due to lack of time and access to instruments appropriate for assessing mental health problems in CYP. Furthermore, referrals from general practitioners are rejected by CAMHS three times as frequently as referrals from other sources. The aim of this study is to investigate if the self-report Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) coupled with consultative assistance from CAMHS to GPs acts as a valuable decision-making aid when assessing mental health problems in CYP presenting to their GP.

Methods: The intervention will be evaluated in a pre-post comparative observational design. The primary target group is families with children aged 2-17 who contact their GP to get help for their child’s mental health problems. The DAWBA will be rated by a CAMHS specialist, who will summarize relevant information to the family’s GP with recommendations on how to proceed to best help the child. Based on the recommendations the GP decides how to proceed in helping the child/family.

Results: We will present the co-creation process behind developing the intervention along with qualitative findings from the pilot testing of the intervention.

Conclusion: GPs play a central role in the care pathway for CYP with mental health problems. This new collaborative model between GPs and CAMHS has the potential to improve the quality of referrals from GPs and thus reduce the rejection rate, potentially reducing the delay in access to appropriate services.