The long-term objective of this project is to ensure that children with mental health care needs receive the highest quality care possible.
The specific aims are to: (1) conduct background research into the current state or pediatric mental health services delivery; (2) convene a conference/workshop, attended by national leaders in child psychiatry, pediatrics, and family practice, to address pertinent mental health care issues including the incidence and prevalence of mental health problems, the cost-effectiveness of the current delivery system, the delineation of professional boundaries, consultation and referral mechanisms among providers of mental health care, the increasing prescription of psychopharmaceuticals, the appropriateness of current practice guidelines, outcomes management, and future areas for research; and (3) produce a monograph that summarizes the proceedings of the conference and that outlines recommendations and interventions to be taken by professionals in child psychiatry, pediatrics, and family practice caring for children with mental health needs. The background research will include a comprehensive literature review of all relevant peer- review and health care related journals. This material will be gathered and organized according to the topic areas to be addressed at the conference. This one-day conference will consist of a series of short presentations followed, each to be followed by a short question and answer session. The nominal group process will be used during the question and answer session to promote greater understanding of the issues. A workshop session comprised of conferees and invited participants will determine the content of the monograph and a consensus statement on future areas for research and discussion. Following the conference, the Project Co-Directors will begin the process of assembling the monograph. Throughout this process, the Co-Directors will maintain an ongoing dialogue with conferees and participants, incorporating suggestions and comments into the monograph draft. The final steps will be to disseminate the monograph nationally and make the results of the conference available in an electronic form.
