April is National Child Abuse prevention month. The effects of child abuse and other traumatic events can follow children into adulthood and impact their mental and physical health. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) study exposed the heavy impact of these events, particularly child abuse, on well-being through the life span – from developing diseases to […]
March is a time of change as the days become longer and the temperatures begin to rise. It is also daylight savings time, which can be hard for some children and families disrupting their routine and sleep cycles. Sleep is a key component of growth and development. So when children and adolescents have difficulty with […]
The Illinois Department of Public Health is providing the following training hosted by the National Safety Council: Training Description: This session will provide an overview of the problem of injury and violence in the United States and Illinois, identify solutions to address the problems identified, and highlight particular strategies for realizing policy interventions to address injury […]
Children who are bullied are at higher risk for psychological maladjustment in adulthood including both internalizing and externalizing problems2. Twenty to forty percent of children experience bullying at least once during their school years with the majority of bullying occurring in middle school1. Addressing this issue requires a team effort consisting of parents, teachers and school […]
While pregnancy and having a new baby can be a joyful time, it can also be difficult and stressful. In fact, depression is one of the most common complications in pregnancy and postpartum, affecting roughly 12% of women. Peripartum depression involves a major depressive episode that occurs during pregnancy or up to 1 year postpartum. Not […]
The holiday season brings joy and excitement for children and their families! However, it is important to remember that the holidays can also be a difficult time, triggering feelings of loss, frustration and anxiety. Schedules become hectic and parents often feel pressured meeting the demands of the season. Illinois DocAssist can assist you in providing care and […]
Alcohol is the substance most frequently misused by children and adolescents in the United States, and approximately one in three high school students reported drinking alcohol (CDC.gov/ARDI). Drug and alcohol use are strongly associated with the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in adolescence (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2014). Adolescent substance misuse […]
A story about Illinois Doc Assist was featured in the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy Pediatrics summer 2018 newsletter. Read the full article on page 18 of the Illinois Pediatrician here.
As summer vacation comes to an end, many families will return to their primary care provider for annual school physicals. This is an ideal time to complete recommended universal depression screening in school age children. For some children, the enjoyment of the new school year, summer break, and most typical activities is dulled by symptoms […]
In this webinar hosted by Illinois Health Connect, Illinois Doc Assist consultant Diane Misch, MD reviews best practices in assessment and intervention of adolescent substance abuse within the primary care setting. At the end of this webinar, Maria Bruni, PhD – Acting Director of DHS Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse briefly discusses Illinois state funding and […]
