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When and How to Refer a Patient to a Mental Healthcare Provider

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Functional Symptoms in Pediatric Disease

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Abstract

Functional symptoms can at times be difficult to manage in the primary care setting. Sometimes, the concomitant psychological issues that contribute to and maintain functional symptoms require the intervention of a mental healthcare provider. In this chapter, steps are presented that can help to determine when and how to successfully refer a child or adolescent patient for this expertise. Key factors in a successful referral such as patient perspective, the constructive language of referral, and responsibility for patient care are also discussed. Effective management of functional symptoms requires consideration of a range of items. These include availability of mental health care, the cost effectiveness of treatment, the education and coaching of the physician to adequately assess the psychological issues, and to develop pertinent mental health treatment skills. Each of these items is addressed in the process of managing functional symptom presentations and finding the best treatment options for patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Private Practice, 227 E. Gowen Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19119, USA

    Julie H. Linden PhD

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  1. Julie H. Linden PhD
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Correspondence to Julie H. Linden PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA

    Ran D. Anbar

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Linden, J.H. (2014). When and How to Refer a Patient to a Mental Healthcare Provider. In: Anbar, R. (eds) Functional Symptoms in Pediatric Disease. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-8074-8_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-8074-8_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-8073-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-8074-8

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