Integrated Behavioral Health Prevention for Infants in Pediatric Primary Care: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric primary care is a promising setting in which to deliver preventive behavioral health services to young children and their families. Integrated behavioral health care models typically emphasize treatment rather than prevention. This pilot study examined the efficacy of an integrated behavioral health preventive (IBH-P) intervention delivered by psychologists and focused on supporting parenting in low-income mothers of infants as part of well-child visits in the first 6 months of life. METHODS: Using a mixed-methods approach that included a pilot randomized clinical trial and post-intervention qualitative interviews, 137 mothers were randomly assigned to receive IBH-P or usual care. Self-report measures of parenting, child behavior, and stress were obtained at pre- and/or post-intervention. Direct observation of mother-infant interactions was conducted at post-intervention. RESULTS: No differences between groups were found on maternal attunement, knowledge of child development, nurturing parenting, or infant behavior. A secondary analysis on a subsample with no prior exposure to IBH-P with older siblings found that mothers in IBH-P reported increased self-efficacy relative to controls. In the qualitative interviews, mothers stated that they valued IBH-P, learning about their baby, liked the integration in primary care, and felt respected and comfortable with their provider. CONCLUSIONS: Findings are discussed in terms of the next steps in refining IBH-P approaches to prevention in primary care.

Behavior Problems in Low-Income Young Children Screened in Pediatric Primary Care.

Importance: Screening of behavior problems in young children in pediatric primary care is essential to timely intervention and optimizing trajectories for social-emotional development. Identifying differential behavior problem trajectories provides guidance for tailoring prevention and treatment. Objective: To identify trajectories of behavior problems in children 2 to 6 years of age screened in pediatric primary care. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study identified trajectories of behavior problems and demographic and clinical correlates. Data were collected as part of routine care in 3 pediatric primary care offices and 3 school-based health centers in Ohio serving a primarily low-income population. In total, 15 218 children aged 2 to 6 years with well-child visits between July 13, 2016, and January 31, 2022, were included. Exposure: Caregivers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at annual well-child visits. Main Outcomes and Measures: Trajectory groups were identified using latent growth mixture modeling of SDQ total difficulties scores, and relative risk ratio (RRR) of various demographic (eg, race) and clinical (eg, depression in caregiver) variables were assessed by multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Of 15 281 children (51.3% males), 10 410 (68.1%) were African American or Black, 299 (2.0%) were Asian, 13 (0.1%) were American Indian or Alaska Native, 876 (5.7%) were multiracial, 26 (0.2%) were Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 2829 (18.5%) were White, and 39 (0.02%) were categorized as other. In addition, 944 (6.2%) identified as Hispanic and 14 246 (93.2%) as non-Hispanic. Four behavior problem trajectory groups reflecting severity were identified: low-stable (LS; 10 096 [66.1%]), moderate-decreasing (MD; 16.6%), low-increasing (LI; 13.1%), and high-increasing (HI; 4.3%). Relative to the LS group, patients in each elevated group were more likely to be male (HI RRR, 1.87 [95% CI, 1.55-2.26]; MD RRR, 1.55 [95% CI, 1.41-1.71]; and LI RRR, 1.94 [95% CI, 1.70-2.21]), White (HI RRR, 2.27 [95% CI, 1.83-2.81]; MD RRR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.13-1.45]; and LI RRR, 1.54, [95% CI, 1.32-1.81]), publicly insured (HI RRR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.28-0.84]; MD RRR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.43-0.73]; and LI RRR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.35-0.73]), have a social need (HI RRR, 3.07 [95% CI, 2.53-3.73]; MD RRR, 2.02 [95% CI, 1.82-2.25]; and LI RRR, 2.12 [95% CI, 1.84-2.44]), and have a caregiver with depression (HI RRR, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.38-2.00]; MD RRR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.31-1.58]; and LI RRR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.23-1.58]). Relative to the LI group, patients in the MD group were less likely to be male (RRR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.93). Conclusions: The substantial portion of young children with increased behavior problems observed in this cohort study underscores the need for screening in pediatric primary care. Caregivers with depression and family social needs warrant prioritization in early prevention and treatment to alter elevated trajectories.

Provider Perspectives on an Integrated Behavioral Health Prevention Approach in Pediatric Primary Care.

The purpose of this study was to use qualitative interviews to ascertain the perspective of pediatric primary care providers on the implementation of Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) as provided by psychologists within an expanded HealthySteps™ model, and with a particular focus on prevention of behavioral health symptoms in the first five years. A semi-structured interview guide was used to assess medical providers' perceptions of behavioral health integration into their primary care clinics. A conventional qualitative content analysis approach was utilized to identify patterns of meaning across qualitative interviews. Four themes were identified: (1) practice prior to IBH and initial concerns about integration, (2) psychologist's role and perceived added value, (3) what integration looks like in practice, and (4) perceived families' response to and experiences with IBH. Despite initial concerns about potential disruptions to clinic flow, providers indicated that adoption of IBH was seamless. The distinct roles of the psychologist were clear, and both treatment and prevention services provided by IBH were valued. Multidisciplinary collaboration and real-time response to family needs was seen as especially important and primary care providers reported that families were accepting of and highly valued IBH.

Adapting a preschool disruptive behavior group for the underserved in pediatric primary care practice.

INTRODUCTION: While behavioral parent training (BPT) is the first line treatment for preschool aged children with disruptive behavior, only a fraction of families receive these therapies. The integration of BPT within the pediatric primary care (PPC) setting is a promising way to address this need, as the PPC setting is the first and only point of contact for most children diagnosed with mental health disorders. We piloted a clinical innovation by implementing an adapted BPT group in an urban, academic, PPC practice, serving a low-income, predominantly Black population. METHOD: Using a formative program development approach and a cultural adaptation framework, structural and cultural adaptations to the program were implemented to increase engagement and adaptability of the group to meet the needs of our PPC population. RESULTS: Learnings indicated that these adaptations were feasible and acceptable to families. Specifically, they were effective in engaging families and transforming the practice of primary care providers. DISCUSSION: Our work offers a case example to guide efforts to thoughtfully and effectively adapt evidence-based interventions for disruptive behavior in primary care settings. These processes provide one strategy to ameliorate behavioral health disparities in diverse, racial/ethnic minority populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Integrated Behavioral Health Increases Well-Child Visits and Immunizations in the First Year.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether integrated behavioral health (IBH) prevention encounters provided during well-child visits (WCVs) is associated with increased adherence to WCVs and timely immunizations in the first year. METHODS: Data were collected in an urban pediatric primary care clinic serving a low-income population and using the HealthySteps model. Subjects were 813 children who attended a newborn well-child visit between January 13, 2016 and August 8, 2017. Data from the electronic health record was extracted on attendance at six well-child visits in the first year of life, IBH prevention encounters by the HealthySteps specialist, completion of immunizations at 5 and 14 months, and demographics and social and clinical risk factors. RESULTS: After controlling for covariates, odds of attendance at 6, 9, and 12-month WCVs were significantly higher for those who had IBH prevention encounters at previous WCVs. Odds of immunization completion by 5 months was associated with number of IBH prevention encounters in the first 4 months (OR = 1.52, p = .001) but not immunization completion at 14 months (OR = 1.18, p = .059). CONCLUSIONS: IBH prevention encounters were associated with increased adherence to WCVs in the first year and vaccine completion at 5 months of age. These findings are consistent with IBH having a broad positive effect on child health and health care through strong relational connections with families and providing value in addressing emotional and behavioral concerns in the context of WCVs.

A novel behavioral health program for family caregivers of children admitted to a transitional chronic ventilator unit.

BACKGROUND: The care of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients is complex and burdensome. It is essential to adequately support the family caregivers of these children to optimize outcomes; however, there is no literature describing interventions for caregivers in this population. RESEARCH QUESTION: This study described a novel behavioral health program and examined its impact on family caregiver engagement and psychological distress on a pediatric inpatient chronic ventilator unit. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Electronic chart review was completed with retrospective and prospective participant enrollment for the purposes of longitudinal evaluation of caregiver engagement. For analytic purposes, participants were grouped into three categories: (1) preprogram, (2) postprogram, and (3) postprogram with completion of psychotherapy. RESULTS: The behavioral health program was associated with increased caregiver participation in rounds, t = 7.76, p = < .001. Parents who completed a course of psychotherapy within the behavioral health program demonstrated reduced time to training completion (F = 5.89; p < .01), higher staff-rated caregiver engagement (F = 3.69; p < .05), and significantly reduced levels of caregiver distress (t = 2.09; p < .05).

Four innovations: A robust integrated behavioral health program in pediatric primary care.

The increase in behavioral health problems presenting in pediatric primary care (PPC) has led to a greater focus on the prevention and treatment of mental health concerns. As a result, care has shifted from colocation to integrated PPC models. However, the literature provides limited guidance on the development and implementation of integrated PPC models that aim to transform both PPC and the larger health care system. We developed an integrated behavioral health (IBH) approach modeled with fidelity to the Integrated Practice Assessment Tool to fully integrate behavioral health into PPC. Over the 4 years since the application of our model, we have been successful in the development of an integration process and model for practice transformation of an urban PPC center and the spread and scale of IBH services to 2 additional clinics. Four elements combine to make our integrated behavioral health program novel: (a) clear mission and vision, (b) provision of universal prevention services, (c) continuous quality improvement, and (d) emphasis on practice and systems transformation. Trends in practice and scholarly inquiry indicate the need for robust pediatric IBH models, with a clear mission and vision; articulation of how research informs the development and implementation of the model; and infrastructure to meaningfully examine the model's impact. Cognizant of these needs, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center developed an IBH program. We provide key learnings for IBH program development, PPC transformation, and innovative systems redesign. We describe these elements and make recommendations for future research and practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).