How to talk with families about healthy media use
We see it firsthand in the waiting room and treatment room. Mobile devices are often the tool parents have on hand to occupy or soothe their restless child waiting for an appointment. They’re also a common distraction and welcome reprieve for overwhelmed parents. Children engage in digital media more than nearly any other activity and […]
Holidays and Food Insecurity
December brings so many family traditions and celebrations, many of which center around food and meals. These celebrations and traditions can be burdensome financially, especially for families with limited income. One in six children in the United States live in a household with food insecurity. According to Feeding America, approximately 16% of children in Illinois […]
Vaping: What you need to know
A national outbreak of severe respiratory illness and deaths has brought the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping to the forefront in the news and on social media. E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes and may be designed to resemble everyday items, such as pens or USB flash drives. Most e-cigarettes have a battery, […]
Talking to Children about School Shooting
In the wake of the recent tragedy in a Santa Clarita high school, pediatric healthcare providers are likely to encounter youth and parents who are experiencing a variety of reactions to the events that they are witnessing in the news. Children and youth may experience sadness, anxiety, grief, helplessness or anger. The way in which […]
Helping Children and Families Manage Wait Times
Over the past several months, Illinois DocAssist has provided information about how to screen for different mental health issues as a primary care provider. But what happens after the issues are identified? Unfortunately, wait times for mental health services can be long, especially for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental specialties. Here are some recommendations to help reduce […]
Join us for the Symposium on Child Abuse and Neglect in Carterville, IL
Illinois Doc Assist is proud to announce the 18th Annual Children’s Medical and Mental Health Resource Network Symposium on Child Abuse and Neglect. Please join us for this full day event. Wednesday, November 6, 2019 8:00am-4:30pm John A. Logan College 700 Logan College Road Carterville, IL Continuing Education Credits are Available! Register on-line Topics to […]
World Suicide Prevention Month
September is designated as World Suicide Prevention Month. The Centers for Disease Control has noted that suicide rates across the country are on the rise, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth and young adults (ages 10 to 34).(1) According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the majority of […]
Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress
Research suggests that nearly 20% of children birth to 17 years of age in the United States have special health care needs (1). In Illinois, approximately 30% of children had a health condition that impacted their daily functioning (1). Regardless of whether they are acute or chronic, pediatric medical illnesses have a psychological component […]
Mental Health and Back to School: Setting children up for success
While summer is in full swing, it won’t be long before your waiting rooms and appointment calendars are filled with children getting ready for back to school. Pediatric and family providers are optimally positioned to ensure that children are either prepared for their first school experience or return to the classroom after summer break. Required […]
Marijuana and CBD Oil: What Illinois Practitioners Need to Know
Recreational Marijuana: On May 31, 2019 the Illinois House approved legalizing recreational marijuana in House Bill 1438 slated to take effect on January 1, 2020. Age of access is 21, making the availability to adolescents and children a potential problem. It is more crucial than ever that primary care providers screen, diagnosis, and provide treatment recommendations […]
