What the study found
The study found that a continuing medical education program for primary care clinicians was linked to better knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions for pediatric mental health care. Gains were sustained at 6 months for primary care-common disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that this model produced durable improvements in primary care clinicians' readiness to deliver pediatric mental health care. They also suggest that the measurement tool may provide a practical, domain-specific way to evaluate multidisorder pediatric mental health training initiatives in primary care.
What the researchers tested
The researchers evaluated a theory-based measurement tool for assessing primary care clinicians' knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions across key pediatric mental health conditions. They studied the Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care mini-fellowship, which included a 3-day interactive workshop and 12 follow-up coaching calls, using a 68-item assessment at baseline, after the workshop, and at 6 months.
What worked and what didn't
Principal-components analysis identified 10 stable domains aligned with clinical priorities and separated primary care-common disorders from specialty-level disorders such as bipolar disorder, severe aggression, and conduct disorders. All domains showed strong internal consistency, and mixed-effects regression models found significant postworkshop improvements in knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions, with sustained gains at 6 months for primary care-common disorders. Improvements in knowledge of and comfort with specialty-level disorders predicted stronger behavioral intentions across both common and specialty conditions.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed clinical outcomes beyond knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions. Of the 898 clinicians who completed baseline assessment, 416 completed the 6-month follow-up; the abstract says there were no baseline differences between those who completed follow-up and those who did not. It also notes that clinicians trained after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had slightly larger and more persistent improvements.
Key points
- The training program was associated with improved knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions in primary care clinicians.
- Sustained 6-month gains were reported for primary care-common disorders, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
- A 68-item tool identified 10 stable domains and showed strong internal consistency.
- Knowledge of and comfort with specialty-level disorders predicted stronger behavioral intentions.
- No baseline differences were found between clinicians who did and did not complete the 6-month follow-up.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Pediatric primary care training improved mental health readiness
- Authors:
- Peter S. Jensen, Cathryn A. Galanter, Mark L. Wolraich, Ruth E. K. Stein, M. Lynn Crismon
- Institutions:
- Austin College, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Realistic Education in Action Coalition to Foster Health, Stony Brook University, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Oklahoma
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-02
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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