Behavioral health in pediatric practice: The wheatfield pediatrics model

Approximately 20% of children and adolescents experience a diagnosable mental health disorder each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders in US children include ADHD, behavioral disorders, and mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression). Given the personal, familial, social, and academic implications of these issues, many parents may seek to manage these challenges by medicating their child and thus seek guidance and consultation from the child's pediatrician about the possibility of beginning some form of psychotropic treatment. The need for adequate behavioral health resources for pediatric providers is further apparent by the early onset (e.g., prior to age 24) of most mental health disorders, along with the fact that nearly seventy-five percent of children diagnosed with mental health conditions are seen in primary care settings. This article describes an integrated behavioral health model being used in pediatric primary care at Wheatfield Pediatrics (i.e., the Wheatfield Pediatrics Model [WPM]) located in North Tonawanda, NY. Key features about the behavioral health provider role and responsibilities and workflow are discussed along with implementation obstacles.