Mayo Clinic researchers are sharing their latest research findings this week at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Meeting in Toronto.
“Basic Science-Guided Coaching of Primary Care Providers”
The research includes topics such as new assessments of bipolar treatment, tackling the shortage of United States psychiatrists, fighting depression with magnetic stimulation, and creating efficient treatment plans for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Presenters and a brief synopsis of their research include:
Tackling the Psychiatrist Shortage: Teaching Primary Care Doctors Mental Health
Peter Jensen, M.D.
"Basic Science-Guided Coaching of Primary Care Providers"
The shortage of psychiatrists across the United States is so dire that Peter Jensen, M.D., says if he and all of the child psychiatrists in the country saw every child with a mental health problem, they'd only be able to spend one hour treating each one per year.
So what happens to these children? They're often treated by primary care doctors who aren't trained in psychiatry or mental health. To remedy the problem, Dr. Jensen and his colleagues developed a program to train primary care physicians to handle psychiatric issues such as depression and anxiety. The six-month program includes weekly consultations with other primary care doctors and psychiatrists -- a process much more intense than many continuing medical education programs.
Dr. Jensen's program debuted in Minnesota and has spread throughout the United States. During this presentation, Dr. Jensen talks about the 30-plus training sessions he's already facilitated, what's on the horizon, and data he is collecting to prove the training is working.
Fighting Depression with Magnetic Stimulation
Christopher Wall, M.D.
"Pain Improvement in Adolescents Receiving Adjuvant rTMS for the Treatment of Refractory Depression"
What treatment should be used when medication and therapy aren't enough for a depressed patient? Christopher Wall, M.D., says using magnets to stimulate the brain is one option. The noninvasive technique, called transcranial magnetic stimulation, sends magnetic pulses into areas of the brain where depression lives.
The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the mood-boosting method for adults, and Dr. Wall is seeking to bring the therapy to adolescents. Clinical studies are under way at Mayo Clinic and Dr. Wall hopes these studies yield similarly impressive results.
During this presentation, Dr. Wall discusses his clinical trial and the differences between using the technique in adolescent and adult populations.
Note: Dr. Wall and Paul Croarkin, D.O., participated in a symposium about transcranial magnetic stimulation in child and adolescent psychiatry on Wednesday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT. The symposium focused on treatment and ethical implications of treating adolescents as opposed to adults and how magnetic treatment can be used in personalized medicine.
Treating ADHD Patients Effectively, Efficiently from the Start
Jyoti Bhagia, M.D.
"Quality Improvement Methods for Improving ADHD Assessment and Clinic Attendance"
Imagine the time, resources and money that could be saved if psychiatrists could start offering concrete treatment plans to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during their first visit to the clinic. At Mayo Clinic's ADHD care center, Jyoti Bhagia, M.D., does just that.
By requiring parents and educators to complete extensive background forms and analysis before bringing their children in for the first consultation, Dr. Bhagia and her team have been able to better recommend treatment and therapy and do so much more quickly. Since parents and educators are required to dedicate time outside of clinic visits learning about a child's disorder, Dr. Bhagia says they've become more engaged in their children's care as well.
During her presentation, Dr. Bhagia talks about how she and her colleagues transformed Mayo Clinic ADHD care into an extremely efficient practice, while improving care for patients.
Improving Care for Bipolar Patients
Jennifer Vande Voort, M.D.
"Treatments, Services and Quality of Care in Children Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder: A First Report"
Most psychiatrists agree that the ideal treatment for bipolar patients includes a healthy mix of medication and therapy. But is that what usually happens? Jennifer Vande Voort, M.D., posed that question at Mayo Clinic.
While she found that most Mayo Clinic bipolar patients are receiving quality care, the system isn't perfect. She hopes the information and data she is gathering about Mayo Clinic care will help physicians at Mayo Clinic and at other medical institutions offer better treatment plans.
During this presentation, Dr. Vande Voort discusses what she discovered and recommendations for better care in the clinic.
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