Debate: Bridging the gap – role of nonspecialists in child and adolescent mental health care
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The first point of contact for patients and families seeking professional help for health problems is often in nonspecialist community healthcare settings that vary widely across the countries in funding sources, resources and support from specialist services. They typically involve general practitioners, family physicians, general and community paediatricians, and nonphysician health workers such as nurses, social workers and public health professionals. This article discusses the role of nonspecialists in addressing the challenges of limited resources in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) care services as healthcare systems struggle to meet the high demand. Stakeholders and decision-makers need to reconsider traditional healthcare models and service delivery. Integrating nonspecialist community care can be a potential solution but is beset with ethical, geopolitical, practical and economic challenges. The urgency and complexity of the issue are highlighted, emphasising the need for global discussion around CAMH care.
DOI: 10.1111/camh.12736
Authors: Aisha Sanober Chachar, Ayesha I. Mian
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4403340034