Behavioral Health in Pediatric Primary Care – Effective Strategies for Communication

As we continue to see increased needs related to mental and behavioral health, we are working hard to develop resources to help providers in our community deliver the best possible care to kids in our region.

The Seattle Children’s Care Network (SCCN), in partnership with Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, has launched a new online learning module about Effective Strategies for Communication, aiming to equip primary care providers to effectively discuss and address behavioral health concerns with their patients and their families. The objectives of the learning module are:

• Understand why behavioral health concerns are often not addressed in primary care settings.
• Recognize similarities between behavioral health concerns and other pediatric concerns.
• Learn communication strategies to encourage the involvement of all parties and set expectations for the visit.
• Learn how to elicit all concerns and partner with the patient and family to make a plan to address them.

You can access the module here. 

The SCCN is a pediatric-organized system of care that is a collaboration between physicians, other providers and administrators who share a commitment for the quality, cost and patient experience across the care continuum. Find more information here.