Pediatric Diabetes Patients Infrequently Access Outpatient Psychology Services Following Screening and Referral: Implications for Practice

Author(s)

Areti Vassilopoulos, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Jessica Valenzuela, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Joanna Tsikis, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Lital Reitblat, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
Ernesto J. Blanco, Broward Health Medical Center
Shelley Nicholls, University of Miami
Risa M. Wolf, The Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Children’s Health Care

ISSN

1532-6888

Publication Date

8-25-2019

Abstract

Youth with diabetes are at risk for suboptimal psychological functioning. This study evaluated the prevalence of concerns and proportion of outpatient referrals provided and completed at follow-up. Participants included 100 adolescents and young adults seen at a multidisciplinary diabetes clinic. Referrals were made to 61.2% of participants for internalizing (51.6%), externalizing (8%), diabetes-related (50%), comprehensive evaluation (17%), interpersonal (10%), and other needs (3%). At follow-up, 23.7% of those referred were enrolled in outpatient services. Pediatric psychologists offer effective mental health screening and referral. Barriers to follow-up outpatient care included transportation, organization, and stigma. Implications for improving access are discussed.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/02739615.2019.1653763

Volume

49

Issue

2

First Page

202

Last Page

217

NSUWorks Citation

Vassilopoulos, A., Valenzuela, J., Tsikis, J., Reitblat, L., Blanco, E. J., Nicholls, S., Wolf, R. M. (2019). Pediatric Diabetes Patients Infrequently Access Outpatient Psychology Services Following Screening and Referral: Implications for Practice. Children’s Health Care, 49(2), 202-217.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/1734