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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Did you know that one third of children in the US receive mental health care solely from a primary care provider?* Pediatricians, Family Practitioners, and Advanced Practice Nurses are the first line and often the only resource for these patients.* However, identification of specific mental health disorders can be difficult and challenging to treat in […]
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 […]
