Article Recommends Systematic Approach to Mental Health Screening of Adolescents by Primary Care Practices

October 16, 2015 | Strategic Insights for Ambulatory Care

Preview

​Primary care practices should have protocols in place to screen adolescents for mental health disorders and to manage those individuals at risk of suicide, advises an article in the September 2015 issue of the Nurse Practitioner. Although one in five adolescents has a diagnosable mental health disorder, primary care physicians fail to correctly identify up to 38% of adolescent patients with the condition, the article says. Mental health screening is an important component of primary healthcare for adolescents because it can help to identify the presence of risk factors for suicide, which is the third leading cause of death among 10- to 19-year olds. With advanced planning and preparation, the practice can ensure a systematic and effective process is in place to manage adolescents at risk for suicide. The article identifies several mental health screening tools with "adequate reliability and validity" that can be easily administered in the primary care office. Examples include the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. If patients are identified as suicidal, practices can ensure that appropriate measures are taken to manage the patient, based on the patient's suicide risk level.

Access Full Content

Contact us today at 610.825.6000.