The Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist as an Advocate: How to Fill the Growing Need Amidst Rapidly Evolving Health Policy Changes and Reform Through Training and Beyond

• DOI: 10.62414/001c.92490
• Publication Date: 2024-02-16T22:55:58Z
• Authors: Adam J. Sagot; Laura Willing; Debra Koss
• Keywords: Child Health; Adolescent Health

There are many roles that child and adolescent psychiatrists asked to play in the care of patients their charge. Providing needed services vast numbers populations is a daunting task in-and-of itself, especially considering current estimates practicing providers approximately 8,000 United States.1 The need for more overwhelming. Published data 20% US children adolescents (15 million), ages 9 17, have diagnosable psychiatric disorders.2 Given limited number evergrowing patient population they serve, few specialty-trained facing an uphill battle. Of providers, based geographic regions with specific metropolitan areas contain than entirety some states, such as Rhode Island or Delaware. This dramatically limits access care.3 One way address resource shortage lack mental health through advocacy. Research has shown networking, interacting members government, raising awareness needs can lead better training, service delivery, policy.4 Due trained psychiatrists, demand both quality clinical effective advocacy responsibility must be shared by all. Child lend credibility expertise groups seeking improve care.