Faria Khan, Arsala Khan, Shehzad R K, Haroon Siddiq, Nasar Sayeed Khan.
Developing child and adolescent pediatric liaison service in Lahore, Pakistan.
J Pak Psych Soc Jan ;6(1):42-3.

We conducted a survey with the local paediatricians to develop an understanding of their views on developing a child and adolescent paediatric liaison service with their local psychiatric mental health services. We also identified their training needs in mental health assessment of children and in Lahore, Pakistan. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A questionnaire survey was conducted in three large Government teaching hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan, i.e., Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore General Hospital and Children’s hospital Lahore. Paediatricians from all grades were included. Sixty questionnaires were hand distributed, completed by participants and collected by the distributer. RESULTS There was a 100% response rate. 90% of paediatricians reported having no formal training in child psychiatry. Only 16% felt confident in assessing a child with mental health problems. 90% reported not being aware of International diagnostic classification systems. 79% reported that a psychiatric diagnosis in a child is stigmatising. Only 40% reported feeling comfortable in assessing a child who has been Abused (physically, emotionally, sexually). 71% report having no awareness of national guidelines around child protection issues. 78% consider there is a need for the development of paediatric-psychiatric liaison service and the majority, 97%, expressed the need for joint training programmes to address their training needs. DISCUSSION In this survey which to date is the first of its kind in Lahore , Pakistan , several very important and useful findings have been highlighted. A reponses rate of 100% indicates paediatrician’s level of interest to look at the mental health needs and service provision for children and adolescents with mental health difficulties. This survey has pointed out that a lack of a formal training structure limits paediatricians in their assessment of children. A lack of awareness of available resources and current best practice may adversely effect practice. This is shown by the non-familiarity with guidelines on child protection and the use of standard diagnostic criteria for mental health problems. (Short Communication).

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