PEDIATRICIAN STIGMA: LIMITATIONS TOWARD MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE PRIMARY SETTING

Mental health disorders are widespread, affecting up to 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the United States. Although mental health disorders are highly prevalent, only marginal portions of children and adolescents receive adequate treatment and supportive mental health services. Access to specialized mental health care is unfortunately limited and, consequently, pediatricians remain the source of much of the information and care that children with mental health disorders receive. While pediatricians are continuing to treat and manage mental health, limited research suggests that pediatricians report inadequate training and experience with diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. There is potential that this may perpetuate stigma toward this already vulnerable patient population, contributing to suboptimal treatment of mental health disorders in the pediatric setting. Public and self-stigma have been studied regarding mental health disorders in youth. However, pediatrician stigma toward mental health has not been well delineated. The purpose of this scoping review was to focus on identifying barriers to mental health, specifically related to pediatricians’ stigma.