The Role of Integrated Behavioral Health to Improve Treatment Outcomes of Pediatric Endocrinology Disorders
摘要
Pediatric endocrinology patients face unique behavioral and psychological challenges. In addition to going through a stressful period of life where children attempt to establish their identities and independence, children with endocrine disorders must cope with feelings of being different than their peers and carry the burden of additional responsibilities to manage their treatment regimens. These stressors result in pediatric endocrinology patients facing higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders than their peers. Research findings indicate that integrated care improves medication adherence and psychosocial functioning in patients and leads to better health outcomes in children and adolescents affected by endocrine disorders. This chapter discusses the integration of psychological services into pediatric endocrinology clinics to more holistically treat chronic endocrine disorders including diabetes, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypopituitarism, endocrine cancer, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, precocious puberty, and thyroid disorders. In addition, barriers to the implementation of integrated behavioral health systems and challenges with training multidisciplinary teams will be addressed.