Follow-up care after psychiatric hospitalization improves outcomes and prevents readmission Children and adolescents who have been discharged should receive follow-up with a mental health provider within 30 days and ideally within 7 days. Unfortunately, only 54% of Illinois minors covered by Medicaid receive this recommended follow-up(1). Often discharge plans will include an appointment with [...]
Caring for pediatric patients following psychiatric hospitalization
Follow-up care after psychiatric hospitalization improves outcomes and prevents readmission Children and adolescents who have been discharged should receive follow-up with a mental health provider within 30 days and ideally within 7 days. Unfortunately, only 54% of Illinois minors covered by Medicaid receive this recommended follow-up(1). Often discharge plans will include an appointment with [...]
When a patient faces school expulsion: what’s a PCP to do?
Welcome to fall! It’s that time of year again when your pediatric patients may require extra support at school for their behavioral health needs. We would like to touch on some important educational laws and resources to help you advocate for your school-aged patients who may be experiencing challenging school behavior. If your pediatric patient [...]
Suicide Ideation: Interventions
Primary care providers play an important role in identifying youth at risk of suicide by using evidence-based screening and risk-assessment tools. Suicide prevention also includes appropriate intervention. The following recommendations for a comprehensive approach can be implemented into your practice. Creating a safety plan can be proactive step or an acute intervention. An essential component [...]
Suicide Awareness and Screening
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. How can primary care providers make a difference and save lives? By asking, listening, safety planning and intervening with check-ins and connections. Now more than ever it is important to be part of the solution. Visit our website for more information. Alarmingly, suicide rates have steadily increased 30% between [...]
Pediatric Grief
Many of the children and families seen in our offices have faced significant grief and loss over the past few years. It’s been estimated that in the United States one child loses a parent or caregiver for every four COVID-19 related deaths*. Children of racial and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately impacted by caregiver [...]
Burnout in Healthcare Professionals
As the pandemic lingers, healthcare professionals are increasingly burned out, anxious, depressed, and traumatized. According to a Coping with Covid Study in 2020 of over nine thousand physicians across medical disciplines, 50% were burnt out. More recent surveys have even more dire results (1). Studies show that advanced practice registered nurses are experiencing similar levels [...]
