Pediatric Primary Care Visits With Mental Health Needs - Report - MDSpire

Pediatric Primary Care Visits With Mental Health Needs

  • By

  • Kerrin M. Gallagher

  • Alyssa Burnett

  • Jihye Kim

  • R. Christopher Sheldrick

  • Anita Morris

  • Emily Feinberg

  • Megan B. Cole

  • May 18, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Mental Health Requirements During Pediatric Primary Care Appointments

Overview

Expand on the implications of the increase in mental health visits, particularly regarding healthcare policy and practice.

Background

Incorporate specific statistics on the percentage of children receiving treatment for mental health issues to strengthen the argument.

Data Highlights

Revise the table for better readability and ensure it adheres to standard formatting guidelines.

Key Findings

  • The rate of PCP visits with any MH diagnosis increased from 5.9 to 9.7 visits per 100 children from 2014 to 2023.
  • Visits for anxiety increased from 1.7% to 6.1% of all PCP visits during the same period.
  • ADHD diagnoses at PCP visits rose from 5.0% to 6.7%.
  • Depression diagnoses increased from 1.2% to 1.6% of visits.
  • ASD diagnoses rose from 0.5% to 2.0% of visits.
  • Overall, all-cause PCP visits decreased slightly from 58.9 to 54.8 visits per 100 children.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be aware of the increasing prevalence of mental health issues among pediatric patients and consider integrating mental health screenings into routine primary care visits. This may enhance early identification and treatment of mental health conditions.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of addressing mental health needs in pediatric primary care, reflecting a shift towards greater awareness and capacity to manage these issues within primary care settings.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Mental Health Requirements During Pediatric Primary Care Appointments
  2. optometric management — Facilitating the Pediatric Exam
  3. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Caregiver psychiatric symptoms, assessment delay, and access to supports for children with neurodevelopmental conditions
  4. Optometric Management — Facilitating the Pediatric Exam
  5. conexiant — Pediatricians at the Perioperative Helm
  6. American Academy of Pediatrics Periodicity Schedule
  7. Integrated Behavioral Health Services and Psychosocial Symptoms in Children
  8. Collaborative Care for Adolescents With Depression in Primary Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Depressive Disorders | JAMA | JAMA Network

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