Addressing Barriers to Career Development Awards for Early Career Women in Pediatric Psychology.

OBJECTIVE: To provide person and system-level recommendations for supporting early career women in the field of pediatric psychology in writing and submitting National Institutes of Health (NIH) Career Development Award (K award) applications. Recommendations are provided in the context of common barriers, with a focus on practical solutions. METHODS: Publicly available NIH reporter data were compiled to examine rates of funding for Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP) members. Barriers that women face when initiating programs of research are described and applied to the field of pediatric psychology. RESULTS: Of current SPP members, 3.9% (n = 50) have ever received an NIH K award. Approximately 88.5% of SPP members identify as women, including 89.0% of SPP K award recipients. A table of person- and systems-level recommendations is provided to offer strategies for mentees, mentors/sponsors, institutions, and national organizations to address the barriers discussed. CONCLUSIONS: By addressing gender-specific barriers to submitting K award applications, we hope to increase the number of women K awardees and support the scientific advancement of pediatric psychology.

The Needle in the Haystack: Identifying Credible Mobile Health Apps for Pediatric Populations during a Pandemic and beyond.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has ignited wider clinical adoption of digital health tools, including mobile health apps (mHealth apps), to address mental and behavioral health concerns at a distance. While mHealth apps offer many compelling benefits, identifying effective apps in the crowded and largely unregulated marketplace is laborious. Consumer demand and industry productivity are increasing, although research is slower, making it challenging for providers to determine the most credible and safe apps for patients in need. OBJECTIVES/METHODS: This commentary offers a practical, empirically guided framework and associated resources for selecting appropriate mHealth apps for pediatric populations during the pandemic and beyond. RESULTS: In the first stage, Narrow the target problem, end user, and contender apps. Beginning the search with continuously updated websites that contain expert app ratings can help expedite this process (e.g., Psyberguide). Second, Explore each contender app's: (a) scientific and theoretical support (e.g., are app components consistent with health behavior change theories?), (b) privacy policies, and (c) user experience (e.g., through crowdsourcing feedback about app usability and appeal via social media). Third, use clinical expertise and stakeholder feedback to Contextualize whether the selected app is a good fit for a particular patient and/or caregiver (e.g., by considering age, race/ethnicity, ability, gender, sexual orientation, technology access), including conducting a brief self-pilot of the app. CONCLUSION: Youth are increasingly turning to technology for support, especially during the pandemic, and pediatric psychologists must be primed to recommend the most credible tools. We offer additional recommendations for rapidly disseminating evidence-based apps to the public.

Introduction to the Special Issue: Addressing Health Disparities in Pediatric Psychology.

This introduction to the special issue on Addressing Health Disparities in Pediatric Psychology provides context for why this special issue is needed, reviews key findings of the accepted articles, and discusses future directions for advancing the field. This special issue, one of three on this topic area that has been put forth in the history of this journal, comes at a critical point in our world. This is a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is systematically infecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and when there has been increased attention to systemic racism and intersecting violence inherent in multiple systems, including the justice, health, and educational systems. Using Kilbourne et al. (2016) framework, this special issue focuses on Phase 2 and Phase 3 research. Rather than only identifying health disparities (Phase 1), this issue focuses on understanding mechanisms and translating such understanding into interventions and policy changes. The accepted articles span a wide gamut from obesity to autism to rural populations. Furthermore, the articles provide methods for advancing the field beyond simply noting that systematic differences exist toward strategies to address these inequities. We conclude this introduction by discussing next steps for future research, with hopes that it inspires the next generation to study issues of disparities and inequity in deeper, more meaningful, and impactful ways.

Society of Pediatric Psychology Workforce Survey: Updated Factors Related to Compensation.

OBJECTIVE: The 2017 Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP) Workforce Survey provides self-reported compensation by pediatric psychologists, identifies predictors of compensation, and establishes a better understanding of compensation within the context of gender and race/ethnicity minority status. METHODS: SPP members who attended the SPP Annual Conference (SPPAC; April 2017) were invited to complete the survey at the conference through electronic tablets provided on-site by the Workforce Survey Committee. The survey was subsequently distributed online to SPP members who did not complete the survey at SPPAC. The statistical analyses used for this salary data employed flexible semi-parametric models, cross-validation, and prediction models for both the overall sample and academic rank subgroups. RESULTS: Of 27 potential demographic and employment-related predictors from the 2017 SPP Workforce Survey, significant predictors of salary emerged within this sample: academic rank, time since obtaining doctoral degree, managing internal and external funds (of at least $50,000), years in primary employment position, obtaining Fellowship status in the American Psychological Association (APA), and managing other employees (at least 10 people). Given low response rates for males and individuals who identify as belonging to racial and ethnic minority subgroups, only limited, exploratory results are reported for these subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that not only is longevity in one's career important but managing funds/personnel and obtaining professional designations are also predictors of higher salaries for pediatric psychologists, in general. Specific implications of salary according to the psychologist's academic rank, gender, and racial/ethnicity group status are also explored.

A Primer on Mixed Methods for Pediatric Researchers.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a primer on conducting and analyzing mixed methods research studies, and to provide guidance on the write-up of mixed methods research. METHODS: A question and answer format is used to provide an overview of mixed methods research study designs, tasks and considerations related to conducting and analyzing mixed methods studies, and recommendations for the write-up of results for mixed methods studies. RESULTS: Individuals who conduct mixed methods research are encouraged to delineate the quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods features of the research and how these features fit with the overall study questions. Research teams will benefit from including individuals with expertise in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. Data integration should be a central component to the analysis and write-up of mixed methods research. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the use of mixed methods research in the field of pediatric psychology will contribute to advances in observational studies with children and families, intervention development and evaluation, and creation of new tools and assessments that aim to optimize child and family health outcomes.

Historical Analysis: The Journal of Pediatric Psychology From 1976 to 2015.

Objective: To provide a historical analysis through the examination of trends in type of articles, content areas, and population groups across all issues of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology (JPP). Method: All articles published in JPP between the years 1976-2015 were coded based on article type (e.g., original research, meta-analysis), content code (e.g., adherence, primary care), and population code (e.g., oncology, chronic and recurrent pain). Descriptive statistics were calculated. Results: The overall top article types, content codes, and population codes are described as well as top codes for each decade. Overall, the majority of articles were classified as original research. Although some population and content codes varied over time, there were some areas that were consistently present throughout issues, including family systems, cognitive/intellectual functioning, pediatric oncology, and type 1 diabetes. Many topics selected for special issues and topics were consistent with top population and content codes. Conclusions: Findings indicate that most top areas have consistently been present in JPP over the 39-year period. The current historical analysis highlights these patterns as well as serves as a historical record for JPP.

Society of Pediatric Psychology Workforce Survey: Factors Related to Compensation of Pediatric Psychologists.

Objective: To summarize compensation results from the 2015 Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP) Workforce Survey and identify factors related to compensation of pediatric psychologists. Methods: All full members of SPP ( n = 1,314) received the online Workforce Survey; 404 (32%) were returned with usable data. The survey assessed salary, benefits, and other income sources. The relationship between demographic and employment-related factors and overall compensation was explored. Results: Academic rank, level of administrative responsibility, and cost of living index of employment location were associated with compensation. Compensation did not vary by gender; however, women were disproportionately represented at the assistant and associate professor level. Conclusions: Compensation of pediatric psychologists is related to multiple factors. Longitudinal administration of the Workforce Survey is needed to determine changes in compensation and career advancement for this profession over time. Strategies to increase the response rate of future Workforce Surveys are discussed.

Commentary: The Wright Ross Salk Award: Worker Bees and Benefits to the Hive: Service Contributions to the Profession and Society of Pediatric Psychology.

This article reflects on service contributions upon receiving the 2016 Society of Pediatric Psychology Wright Ross Salk Distinguished Service Award. As the title implies, worker bees make service contributions for the overall benefit of the hive and colony. So too, the scientific discipline, clinical profession, and the Society of Pediatric Psychology need the service contributions of multiple individuals to survive and thrive. Many people have made professional contributions to benefit the field and its organizational home; many more worker bees will volunteer in the future to fill important service roles and sustain the hive. The article discusses lessons learned about service.

Pioneers in Pediatric Psychology: Smashing Silos and Breaking Boundaries.

As part of the Pioneers in Pediatric Psychology series, this article provides a brief personal account of my career as a pediatric psychologist. Educational and professional experiences often involved confrontations with silos and boundaries set by traditions limiting understanding and impact on children's healthy development. A pedigree in developmental psychology clashed with identity, guild, and loyalty dimensions of clinical psychology. A research emphasis challenged the emergent harmony of the scientist-practitioner models. The medical center and its silos collided with those of arts and sciences academia. Evolving as an applied developmental scientist specializing in pediatric psychology allowed for a gratifying and meaningful career with a range of scientific, pedagogical, and policy contributions. An abiding orientation toward human rights and social justice sustained progress and generativity.

Topical Review: Building Competency: Professional Skills for Pediatric Psychologists in Integrated Primary Care Settings.

OBJECTIVES : In the midst of large-scale changes across our nation's health care system, including the Affordable Care Act and Patient-Centered Medical Home initiatives, integrated primary care models afford important opportunities for those in the field of pediatric psychology. Despite the extensive and growing attention, this subspecialty has received in recent years, a comprehensive set of core professional competencies has not been established. METHODS : A subset of an Integrated Primary Care Special Interest Group used two well-established sets of core competencies in integrated primary care and pediatric psychology as a basis to develop a set of integrated pediatric primary care-specific behavioral anchors. CONCLUSIONS : The current manuscript describes these behavioral anchors and their development in the context of professional training as well as with regard to Triple Aim goals and securing psychology's role in integrated pediatric primary care settings.

The Scope of Behavioral Health Integration in a Pediatric Primary Care Setting.

OBJECTIVE: The current study examines the scope of integrated behavioral health services provided by behavioral health clinicians in pediatric primary care. METHODS: A cross-sectional electronic health record review was conducted to characterize integrated behavioral health services including consultation types, recommendations, and medical diagnoses. Services were provided over a 6-year period in an urban, residency-training clinic serving a primarily publicly insured population. RESULTS: Of the 4,440 patients seen by behavioral health clinicians (BHCs), 2,829 (63.7%) were seen during well-child checks to address a wide array of presenting problems. The five consultation types "Healthy Steps (6%), pregnancy-related depression (17.7%), developmental (19.2%), mental health (53.2%), and psychopharmacology (5%)" were characterized by differences in demographics, presenting problems, recommendations, and medical diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric BHCs provide a wide range of services to pediatric populations in the context of integrated behavioral health programs. Implications for workforce capacity development, evaluation of outcomes and impact, and sustainability are discussed.

Commentary: demonstrating cost-effectiveness in pediatric psychology.

OBJECTIVE: Changes in the health care system and payment plans will likely require pediatric psychologists to illustrate the impact of their services. Cost-effectiveness analyses are one method of demonstrating the potential economic benefits of our services but are rarely used by pediatric psychologists. METHOD: A hypothetical cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted, comparing the costs and outcomes between a behavioral adherence intervention and no intervention for youth with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. RESULTS: Results illustrate how pediatric psychologists can use cost-effectiveness analyses to demonstrate the economic impact of their work. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to conduct economic analyses could allow pediatric psychologists to advocate for their services. Implications and future directions are discussed.