Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | Bridging the Gap: What Paediatricians Want from Liaison Psychiatry Services |
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| Contribution code | D3.180 |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Aims To determine what paediatricians want from liaison psychiatry services, in terms of clinical care for their patients and educational opportunities for their teams. Methods A survey of representative paediatricians working in Children’s Health Ireland was completed, with questions looking at barriers to liaison psychiatry referral, current paediatric service needs for liaison psychiatry input, future needs anticipated, training needs and teaching needs. Results and Conclusions 95.5% of paediatricians reported there has been an increase in the number of children and young people presenting to hospital with a mental health component to their presentation. Multiple problems and opportunities were identified by respondents. 72.7% cited lack of access to liaison psychiatry outpatient services as a barrier to referring patients. Only 13.6% of respondents felt they received an adequate amount of mental health education and teaching. Increased access to outpatient liaison psychiatry services, as well as specialist liaison services, are needed. Paediatricians want more education and teaching opportunities regarding child and adolescent mental health issues. The opening of the New Children’s Hospital in Dublin is an opportunity to optimise child and adolescent liaison psychiatry services in Ireland, improve access to these services for patients, and enhance mental health teaching and training for paediatricians and other staff. |