Mini Workshop 3 - Coordinating Pharmacological and Behavioral Therapies for Children and Adolescents: A Coordinated Care Checklist

Friday, November 15, 2024

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM EST

Location: Grand Ballroom B, Level 5, Downtown Marriott

Earn 1.5 Credit

Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Anxiety, Depression
Level of Familiarity: Basic to Moderate
Recommended Readings: Chu, B. C., & Pimentel, S. (2023). CBT Treatment Plans and Interventions for Depression and Anxiety Disorders in Youth. New York: Guilford Press., Walter, H. J., Abright, A. R., Bukstein, O. G., Diamond, J., Keable, H., Ripperger-Suhler, J., & Rockhill, C. (2023). Clinical practice guideline for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with major and persistent depressive disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 62(5), 479-502., Walter, H. J., Bukstein, O. G., Abright, A. R., Keable, H., Ramtekkar, U., Ripperger-Suhler, J., & Rockhill, C. (2020). Clinical practice guideline for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 59(10), 1107-1124., ,

Presenter(s)

Brian C. Chu, Ph.D.

Professor
Rutgers University
Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
Uri Meller, M.D.

Co-founder (UWP); Assistant Professor (Montefiore)
Upper West Psychiatry; Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, New York, United States

Child and adolescent mental health clients are getting more complicated with more intensive clinical needs. Coordinated evidence-based behavioral and pharmacological treatment is needed now more than ever. And yet, identifying and securing appropriate psychiatric (or behavioral) care for families is challenging in traditional outpatient settings where interdisciplinary team work is less available. Even if one connects a family with a qualified psychiatrist (or behaviorist), maintaining coordinated care across the treatment is equally challenging. This mini-workshop will provide attendees with a pragmatic road map to navigating these tricky roads. What are some signs and symptoms that indicate a psychiatric evaluation? When are the most vital points to communicate with a prescribing clinician? What are the essentials to communicate to the youth and family? This workshop will briefly review pharmacotherapy efficacy in treating children and adolescents with anxiety and mood disorders. It will then introduce a “Coordination Checklist” that helps outline the steps, shared information, and key communication points that can help prescribers and behaviorists ensure the best possible health outcomes for youth and their families. Case studies will be presented (and attendees will be welcomed to present their own) to illustrate the checklist and methods for overcoming challenges.

Outline:
I. Intro: Need for coordinated care
a. Case vignette presenting with complicated need for behavioral and medication treatment
b. Evidence for pharmacotherapy efficacy in anxiety and mood problems
c. Challenges in talking to families
II. Intro to the Coordination Checklist
a. Talking to parents about psychiatric referral
b. Identifying prescribing physician
c. Connecting with physician/discussing case formulation and treatment plan
d. Plan for coordinating care moving forward
III. Case illustration and consultation
a. Return to case
b. Highlight challenges and problem-solving
c. Invite questions and consultation requests from audience

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:

Understand and describe the signs and symptoms that indicate psychiatric referral, particularly amongst children and adolescents presenting with anxiety or depression disorders.
Know tips for how to talk with families about psychiatric referrals, including becoming knowledgeable in common “medication myths” and know how to address parent concerns about pharmacotherapy.
Know how to identify a prescribing physician, considering how to help parents weigh the pros and cons of seeking in- and out-of-network resources.
Make use of a coordination checklist to communicate initial conceptualization and treatment plan for a youth case and to coordinate ongoing care.
Long-term Goal: In the long-term, become more comfortable in communicating and coordinating pharmacotherapy and behavioral care in outpatient settings where less direct contact is available.