Physician Utilization of a Universal Psychosocial Screening Protocol in Pediatric Primary Care

A pediatrician-friendly review of three common behavioral health screeners in pediatric practice: Findings and recommendations

Behavioral health concerns are surging in pediatric practices. Fortunately, integrated behavioral/medical health clinics are growing and child psychiatrists/psychologists are increasingly embedded in these care settings to help shoulder the clinical load. Routine screening of behavioral health problems in primary care facilities enables early identification and treatment. However, deciding on sound, efficient, and scalable screening measures is sometimes arduous. Accordingly, this article presents a clinician-friendly review of three common instruments useful in screening pediatric behavioral health concerns including anxiety, depression, and conduct problems. Psychometric findings and clinical applications of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 (PSC-17), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) are delineated. Finally, clinical implications and recommendations for practicing pediatricians and child psychiatrists are offered.