Pediatric Consultation-Liaison Psychology: Insights and Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

Nicole M Schneider
Dara M Steinberg
Andrea M Garcia
Jessy Guler
Emily Mudd
A Monica Agoston
Katherine N Schwartzkopf
Kristin A Kullgren
Laura Judd-Glossy

Publication Date

3-1-2023

Journal

Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings

DOI

10.1007/s10880-022-09887-4

PMID

35668286

PMCID

PMC9169955

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

6-6-2022

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Humans, Child, COVID-19, Pandemics, Follow-Up Studies, Referral and Consultation, Surveys and Questionnaires, Telemedicine, COVID-19, Pandemic, Consultation–liaison, Pediatric, Telemedicine

Abstract

COVID-19 has presented a variety of challenges to the provision of psychology services. In the first month of the pandemic, pediatric consultation-liaison (CL) psychologists reported significant changes in methodology of service delivery (Steinberg et al. in Clin Pract Pediatr Psychol 9:1, 2020). To better understand how and if these changes persisted, as well as other emerging trends, a follow-up study examined changes and challenges six months into the pandemic. An anonymous questionnaire assessed topics related to pediatric CL psychology including practice changes, perception of changes, and institutional support. The questionnaire was sent to the APA Society of Pediatric Society's special interest group listservs. Thirty responses were analyzed. Quantitative results showed participants' beliefs that telemedicine is equally efficacious to in-person services for outpatient psychological care, but less effective for inpatient care. Participants reported their perception of how institutions supported their safety, psychology trainee safety and training goals, and patient care. Qualitative results demonstrated that most psychologists experienced changes related to their dynamics with medical teams, which included changes in team efficiency, workload, transition, and team collaboration.