Research Project 2
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A Brief Diagnostic Tool (Kiddie-CAT) and Feedback Protocol for Use in Emergency Departments
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A Screening Tool & Feedback Protocol to Accelerate Diagnosis and Improve Linkage to Care
Early diagnosis and treatment of severe depression in youth is critical. Suicide among youths (ages 10-14) rose by 178% from 2007 to 2017; teen (15-19) deaths increased 76% during that same period. The Center's second study is aimed at improving the mental health screening of youth presenting to emergency departments (ED’s), and their referral to services in the community.
Co-Principal Investigators Sarah Horwitz, PhD and Argelinda Baroni, MD, lead the research team testing the new tablet-based, personalized screening tool, the K-CAT (computerized adaptive testing), developed by Robert Gibbons, PhD and colleagues. This K-CAT screening tool, as well as a disposition protocol to increase ED providers’ confidence in making mental health diagnoses and managing suicidal thoughts and behaviors and severe depression in youth, will be tested in the Bellevue Emergency Department (ED) and The Children's Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP). Research has shown that computerized adaptive testing, which is based on item-response theory, can be feasibly used in emergency department settings, and cuts time to diagnosis, and can be completed by youth in just several minutes, versus over an hour for paper screening tools.
Co-Principal Investigators Sarah Horwitz, PhD and Argelinda Baroni, MD, lead the research team testing the new tablet-based, personalized screening tool, the K-CAT (computerized adaptive testing), developed by Robert Gibbons, PhD and colleagues. This K-CAT screening tool, as well as a disposition protocol to increase ED providers’ confidence in making mental health diagnoses and managing suicidal thoughts and behaviors and severe depression in youth, will be tested in the Bellevue Emergency Department (ED) and The Children's Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP). Research has shown that computerized adaptive testing, which is based on item-response theory, can be feasibly used in emergency department settings, and cuts time to diagnosis, and can be completed by youth in just several minutes, versus over an hour for paper screening tools.
Study Goal: To determine whether the K-CAT screening tool and protocol facilitate the earlier and more accurate identification of serious mental health problems in youth and more quickly link them to available community services.
Status: The study is planned to launch in Winter 2020.
Status: The study is planned to launch in Winter 2020.