Mining and Mapping 25 Years of Medication Use in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Contact-Level Descriptive Analysis of Electronic Health Records - Report - MDSpire

Mining and Mapping 25 Years of Medication Use in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Contact-Level Descriptive Analysis of Electronic Health Records

  • By

  • Dipendra Pant

  • Carolyn Clausen

  • Bennett L Leventhal

  • Thomas Brox Røst

  • Roman Koposov

  • Odd Sverre Westbye

  • Jostein Arntzen

  • Norbert Skokauskas

  • Øystein Nytrø

  • June 16, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Analyzing 25 Years of Medication Utilization in CAMHS

Overview

This study examines 25 years of medication utilization in Norwegian Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) using electronic health records. It highlights the increasing trend in psychotropic medication prescriptions and the need for a deeper understanding of prescribing patterns across different diagnostic categories.

Background

The use of psychotropic medications in child and adolescent mental health care has significantly increased over the past two decades, with rising diagnoses of conditions such as ADHD and mood disorders. Understanding medication utilization patterns is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and ensuring appropriate care for young patients. This study leverages a comprehensive dataset to explore these trends within the context of a multiaxial diagnostic framework.

Data Highlights

No specific numerical data was provided in the source material.

Key Findings

  • Medication utilization in Norwegian CAMHS has expanded, particularly for ADHD and mood disorders.
  • The study utilized a national adaptation of the ICD-10 multiaxial framework for diagnostic purposes.
  • Prescribing patterns across different diagnostic categories remain underexplored.
  • Electronic health records provide a valuable resource for analyzing clinical decision-making and medication use.
  • There is a notable increase in stimulant prescriptions for ADHD in Norway over the past two decades.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should be aware of the evolving trends in medication prescriptions within CAMHS to inform treatment planning. The findings underscore the importance of utilizing comprehensive health records to guide individualized care and address the complexities of comorbid conditions.

Conclusion

This study provides critical insights into medication utilization trends in CAMHS, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to better understand prescribing practices across different diagnostic categories. Such knowledge is essential for enhancing treatment outcomes in child and adolescent mental health care.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Mounir Haizoune et al., npj Digital Medicine, 2026 -- Assessing Youth Mental Health Needs Through an Adaptive Digital Tool
  2. Bennett L Leventhal et al., JMIR Medical Informatics, 2026 -- Navigating Privacy and Functionality in Research on Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents
  3. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- The Use of Psychotropic Medications Among Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder
  4. Drugs - Real World Outcomes, 2017 -- Children's Use of Medications and Devices in Everyday Practice
  5. Ability of clinical data to predict readmission in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services - PMC, 2023
  6. NICE, 2025 -- Overview | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management
  7. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- Comparative efficacy of antidepressant medication for adolescent depression: a network meta-analysis and systematic review
  8. Ability of clinical data to predict readmission in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services - PMC
  9. Overview | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE
  10. Comparative efficacy of antidepressant medication for adolescent depression: a network meta-analysis and systematic review | BMC Psychiatry | Springer Nature Link

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