Practice and perceptions of pediatric residents in a Tertiary Government Hospital on mental healthcare as part of general practice
- Author:
Constantine L. Yu Chua
;
Lorelei Melanie K. Elma
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Pediatric Residents;
Primary mental healthcare;
Mental health competency
- MeSH:
Mental Health
- From:
The Philippine Journal of Psychiatry
2023;4(2):21-32
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:This study aimed to describe mental health practice patterns, perceptions,
perceived responsibility, confidence, barriers, and supports of pediatric residents in a tertiary
government hospital to arrive at recommendations in enhancing their mental health
competencies.
Methodology:As part of needs and baseline assessment within an existing collaboration,
written self-administered questionnaires were distributed among pediatric residents of the
hospital. Frequency of answers were tallied to see clustering and trends. RESULTS: Most of the
37 Pediatric residents had positive perceptions i.e. 78.83% - 83.78% and planned to incorporate
all aspects mental healthcare in their future practice as consultants i.e. 89.19 %- 97.29 %.
However, they did not get to practice or apply it as much during training. All respondents
perceived that diagnosing the neurodevelopmental disorders of Autism Spectrum, Attention
Deficit and Hyperactivity, Intellectual Disability and Learning was their responsibility. When it
came to confidence in diagnosing other psychiatric disorders less than half to 3/5 (45.9%-
64/9%) were confident or very confident in doing so. Approximately three fifths (56.75%
-67.56%) of them were confident in managing neurodevelopmental disorders. There was an even
lower proportion i.e. one fourth (16.21% - 32.43%) of pediatric residents who were confident in
managing other psychiatric disorders. Time was the most often perceived barrier while more
exposure and training were the supportive factors for integrating mental healthcare into
practice.
Conclusion:With such positive perceptions already in place, programs to improve knowledge
and skills can be developed to increase confidence, focusing on diagnosing and managing
psychiatric conditions. Target areas as guided by this research can be on how to use screening
tools and psychotropics, diagnosing anxiety and behavioral addictions, and managing psychosis
and trauma. These should be incorporated in a time-efficient manner into usual patient
interviews. Training and added exposure can be utilized in the short-term as well as
institutionalization of collaboration, liaison, and feedback systems in the future.
- Full text:PJ Psychiatry 3.pdf
