Addressing behavioral health needs in pediatric primary care: discrepancies between desired and received care

ABSTRACT

There has been a recent push for the incorporation of mental/behavioral health (M/BH) services within primary care (PC). The present study aimed to assess current and desired services and perceived barriers to M/BH care. Participants were 153 parents of pediatric PC patients (age range = 4–15). Parents were primarily female (93.5%), African American (68.8%), and low income (78.4%). Parents desired more M/BH assistance than what they received and were most likely to seek M/BH services if provided in the PC setting. Tangible barriers were most commonly cited. Findings have implications for M/BH service implementation in PC.

Acknowledgments

Special acknowledgement to the Gulf Coast Behavioral Health and Resiliency Center and Dr. Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling for their direct support on this project.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

The work represented was supported by the Gulf Coast Behavioral Health and Resiliency Center through the Gulf Region Health Outreach Program. The Outreach Program was developed jointly by BP and the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committeeas part of the Deepwater Horizon Medical Benefits Class Action Settlement.