Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island

Problem:

Although often called upon to treat children with developmental, behavioral and mental health needs, community pediatricians and family practice physicians cite the need for additional training in child development/behavior, appropriate use of psychopharmacology, and knowledge and use of community resources and supports to effectively treat children with these concerns.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal #1: To promote a greater understanding of child development, behavioral and mental health issues among pediatricians and primary care physicians in Washington County Objectives: 1) 60% of Participants will report increased confidence and skill in -differentiating normal childhood development from atypical development -identifying developmental, behavioral and mental health concerns that require referral from those that can be handled by the pediatrician/PCP with additional education 2) 20% of Participants will report efforts to screen all children for developmental, behavioral health, and substance abuse issues to identify children in need of intervention Goal #2: To increase participating pediatricians’ and PCPs’ knowledge and understanding of when and how to use psychopharmacology with children and adolescents Objectives: 1) 60% of Participants will be able to identify effective psychopharmacological interventions and begin to implement them 2.) Participants will report increased skill in -appropriate dosing and use of psychotropic medications in treating children and adolescents with identified developmental, behavioral and mental health disorders Goal #3: To increase participating pediatricians’ and PCPs’ knowledge of community resources and supports available Objectives: 1) 60% of Participants will report familiarity with community resources, including types of services and therapies available and eligibility/ referral criteria 2) 60% of Participants will report increased use of evidence-based practices as they relate to specific disorders

Methodology:

1. Case-based Collaborative Office Rounds meeting monthly to discuss community identified cases and problems with a Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrician and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist as Co-facilitators in a shared learning environment 2. 4-6 Large community presentations available to all provider, presented in coordination with the Community Medicine Clerkship of Brown Medical School.

Evaluation:

Evaluation methods will be two-fold. One form of evaluation will be a 5-question pre and post test CME quiz at each COR session regarding the related topic. The other method of evaluation will be a self-reported retrospective pre-test involving a 7-Point Liket scale at the end of each grant year asking about changes in physician practice related to target areas.