19 results on '"Virk, Punit"'
Search Results
2. Challenges and opportunities for graduate students in public health during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Jenei, Kristina, Cassidy-Matthews, Chenoa, Virk, Punit, Lulie, Bethel, and Closson, Kalysha
- Published
- 2020
3. Improving research personnel’s hand hygiene adherence in the pediatric acute care setting during the COVID-19 pandemic: a quality improvement initiative
- Author
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Dissanayake, Ashini, MacLellan, Abigale, Doan, Quynh, Sabhaney, Vikram, and Virk, Punit
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- 2022
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4. Chronic physical conditions and suicidal ideation: a population-level analysis of Canadian school-attending young adults.
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Virk, Punit, Doan, Quynh, and Karim, Mohammad Ehsanul
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CHRONIC diseases & psychology , *CROSS-sectional method , *SUICIDAL ideation , *RESEARCH funding , *LOGISTIC regression analysis , *DISEASE prevalence , *SUICIDE prevention , *SURVEYS , *STUDENT health , *HEALTH promotion , *STUDENT attitudes , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *WELL-being , *SCHOOL health services , *ADOLESCENCE , *ADULTS - Abstract
Students who identify with a chronic physical condition are a growing population and their conditions may be associated with poor mental well-being. To compare suicidal ideation prevalence between Canadian school-attending young adults with and without a chronic physical condition. We hypothesized that students living with a chronic condition have a higher likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a nationally representative sample of 2297 Canadian school-attending young adults (ages 15-29 years) from the 2012-13 Canadian Community Health Survey—Mental Health (CCHS-MH). Survey-weighted logistic regression and sensitivity analyses were performed to estimate the likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation between students with and without a chronic physical condition. Approximately 14.3% (n = 329) students experienced suicidal ideation at some point. Students living with a physical chronic condition demonstrated 1.65 (95% CI: 1.14, 2.39) times higher odds of experiencing suicidal ideation, compared to students not living with a chronic physical condition. Suicide prevention and health promotion are important considerations for campus health providers and administrators when planning services and accommodations for students living with chronic physical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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5. Utility of MyHEARTSMAP for Universal Psychosocial Screening in the Emergency Department
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Doan, Quynh, Wright, Bruce, Atwal, Amanbir, Hankinson, Elizabeth, Virk, Punit, Azizi, Hawmid, Stenstrom, Rob, Black, Tyler, Gokiert, Rebecca, and Newton, Amanda S.
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- 2020
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6. Commentary: School closures, the pandemic, and pediatric mental health: Scrutinizing the evidence
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Black, Tyler R, Virk, Punit, Woodward, Melissa L, Stea, Jonathan N., and Doan, Quynh
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Covid-19 Pandemic and Child Mental Health: An Invited Discussion Section - Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic arrived with significant hardship. The secondary impacts of the pandemic and our response with respect to pediatric mental health has been a subject of significant discussion in the lay public, media, and decision-maker groups. The initiatives to control SARS-CoV-2 have become politicized. A narrative emerged early that strategies to mitigate the spread of the virus were harming children’s mental health. Position statements from professional organizations in Canada have been used to support this claim. The aim of this commentary is to provide a reanalysis of some of the data and research methodology used to support these position statements. Some of the direct claims such as “online learning is harmful,” should be supported by a strong evidence base with significant consensus that speaks directly to causality. We find that the quality of the studies and the heterogeneity of the results does not support the strength of the unequivocal claims made by these position statements. In a sample of the current literature examining the issue, we find that outcomes range from improvements to deteriorations. Earlier studies relying on cross-sectional surveys typically have shown stronger negative effects than longitudinal cohort studies, which often have also shown groups of children experiencing no changes to measured mental health characteristics or groups that have experienced improvements. We argue it is imperative that policymakers use the highest quality evidence in making the best decisions. We as professionals must avoid discussing only one side of heterogeneous evidence.
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- 2023
7. Response to Rejoinders: The importance of balanced, clear, and specific science communication
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Virk, Punit, Woodward, Melissa L, Doan, Quynh, and Black, Tyler R
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Covid-19 Pandemic And Child Mental Health: An Invited Discussion Section - Published
- 2023
8. Examining validity evidence of HEARTSMAP-U for psychosocial screening in the post-secondary educational context
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Virk, Punit Singh
- Abstract
Background: The prevalence of reported mental health concerns is rising among post-secondary students. Screening instruments can help identify these concerns and connect students to appropriate care. However, most existing instruments are limited to certain diagnoses, have varying levels of psychometric evidence, do not measure a wide range of psychological and social stressors, or have not been developed in partnership with students. The goal of this dissertation was to adapt the clinician- and self- administered pediatric psychosocial screening tools, MyHEARTSMAP and HEARTSMAP respectively, to be suitable for use by post-secondary students. Methods: The HEARTSMAP-U tool was adapted and evaluated over three years in partnership with post-secondary students, administration, and clinical experts. A scoping review was conducted to identify validation practices and gaps with existing instruments. In a multi-phase, multi-method process, HEARTSMAP-U was adapted from existing HEARTSMAP instruments through consensus-driven meetings, student focus groups, and a survey with post-secondary mental health professionals. A preliminary evaluation study was conducted to assess HEARTSMAP-U’s validity evidence with University of British Columbia (Vancouver) students. Results: The scoping review revealed a need for screening tools developed with, by, and for diverse post-secondary students. The student-centred HEARTSMAP-U instrument consists of ten psychosocial sections and generates urgency and severity-specific resource recommendations based on students' scoring patterns. Students and post-secondary mental health professionals found the tool content to be acceptable and relevant to end-users. HEARTSMAP-U demonstrated evidence of predictive validity in identifying students with psychiatric concerns and evidence of convergent validity as scores were highly correlated with other instruments measuring similar concerns and general quality of life (PedsQL-YA) and strength-based psychosocial assessments (MHC-SF). A small proportion of piloted students followed up with tool-recommended resources, but a large number reported their intent to access them in the future. Conclusion: HEARTSMAP-U was adapted and evaluated through a multi-method, student-centered approach, resulting in a tool that is deemed acceptable and suitable for use in the post-secondary education setting. Currently, HEARTSMAP-U is undergoing larger-scale validation to further assess its predictive validity and utility. Future studies may explore its implementation potential in post-secondary institutions and how it can be integrated within existing mental health strategies.
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- 2023
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9. Correction to: Challenges and opportunities for graduate students in public health during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Author
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Jenei, Kristina, Cassidy-Matthews, Chenoa, Virk, Punit, Lulie, Bethel, and Closson, Kalysha
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Commentary: School closures, the pandemic, and pediatric mental health: Scrutinizing the evidence.
- Author
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Black, Tyler R., Virk, Punit, Woodward, Melissa L, Stea, Jonathan N., and Doan, Quynh
- Subjects
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ONLINE education , *PROFESSIONAL practice , *RESEARCH methodology , *PEDIATRICS , *MENTAL health , *EVIDENCE-based medicine , *SCHOOLS , *QUALITY assurance , *STAY-at-home orders , *POLICY sciences , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic arrived with significant hardship. The secondary impacts of the pandemic and our response with respect to pediatric mental health has been a subject of significant discussion in the lay public, media, and decision-maker groups. The initiatives to control SARS-CoV-2 have become politicized. A narrative emerged early that strategies to mitigate the spread of the virus were harming children’s mental health. Position statements from professional organizations in Canada have been used to support this claim. The aim of this commentary is to provide a reanalysis of some of the data and research methodology used to support these position statements. Some of the direct claims such as “online learning is harmful,” should be supported by a strong evidence base with significant consensus that speaks directly to causality. We find that the quality of the studies and the heterogeneity of the results does not support the strength of the unequivocal claims made by these position statements. In a sample of the current literature examining the issue, we find that outcomes range from improvements to deteriorations. Earlier studies relying on cross-sectional surveys typically have shown stronger negative effects than longitudinal cohort studies, which often have also shown groups of children experiencing no changes to measured mental health characteristics or groups that have experienced improvements. We argue it is imperative that policymakers use the highest quality evidence in making the best decisions. We as professionals must avoid discussing only one side of heterogeneous evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
11. Improving Reporting on Qualitative Methods Used in the Development and Validation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Mental Health Concerns.
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Samuel, Vanessa, Arora, Ravia, and Virk, Punit
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EXPERIMENTAL design ,REPORT writing ,RESEARCH methodology ,RESEARCH methodology evaluation ,HEALTH outcome assessment ,QUALITATIVE research ,QUALITY assurance ,MENTAL illness - Abstract
Qualitative methodologies are recommended in the development and evaluation of psychological instruments. However, reporting on qualitative methods in instrument development studies remains variable and often insufficient to support claims surrounding content validity. In the current article, we present a commentary discussing the critical role qualitative inquiry plays in the development of patient-reported outcome measures. We outline the current state of reporting in qualitative instrument development and evaluation studies with a focus on mental health literature and highlight the clinical relevance of this topic for health care professionals. Despite challenges, we express confidence in the potential value of substantively engaging with qualitative methods and comprehensive reporting and summarize recommendations to this effect based on the current literature. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(3), 40–44.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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12. Exploring parental perceptions of psychosocial screening in paediatric emergency departments.
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Virk, Punit, Atwal, Amanbir, Wright, Bruce, and Doan, Quynh
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MENTAL health services evaluation , *PARENT attitudes , *MATERNAL health services , *PATIENT aftercare , *PSYCHOLOGY of parents , *HOSPITAL emergency services , *HEALTH services accessibility , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *PEDIATRICS , *MEDICAL screening , *HELP-seeking behavior , *QUALITATIVE research , *MEDICAL care use , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *LONGITUDINAL method , *OPTIMISM - Abstract
Objective: To explore parental perceptions of psychosocial screening in the paediatric emergency department and identify post-screening barriers to accessing mental health care. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study during the 30-day follow-up period of a larger prospective cohort study. Eligible youth and their accompanying parent/guardian first completed psychosocial self/proxy-screening using the MyHEARTSMAP tool and then received a standardized clinical mental health assessment. If the MyHEARTSMAP assessment provided youth with mental health resources recommendations, their parents were invited to a follow-up session. Thirty days (±5 days) after their ED visit, parents participated in a virtual interview to reflect and share their attitudes, perceptions and thoughts around the screening and mental health care-seeking process. Results: Of the 171 participants who received resource recommendations during their ED visit, 124 parents (72.5%; 95% CI 65.2–79.1%) completed the follow-up interview. Most parents endorsed positive perceptions of the screening process, describing it as an 'eye-opening' process that 'sparked conversation'. Most participants (74.2%; 95% CI 65.6–81.6) agreed with the resource recommendations they received. In terms of resources-seeking, only 41 participants (33.1%; 95% CI 24.9–42.1) attempted to access recommended supports. Families generally felt identified concerns were mild and 'not serious enough' to warrant resource-seeking, though many expressed an intention to seek care if concerns escalated. Conclusion: Perceptions of psychosocial screening in the ED were favourable and encouraging among participating parents of youth screened positive for psychosocial issues. Despite positive attitudes, only a fraction of the families invited to follow-up attempted to access care. Mental health may be perceived as low priority for many families, signifying the need for improved education and awareness building on the importance of early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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13. HEARTSMAP-U: Adapting a Psychosocial Self-Screening and Resource Navigation Support Tool for Use by Post-secondary Students.
- Author
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Virk, Punit, Arora, Ravia, Burt, Heather, Gadermann, Anne, Barbic, Skye, Nelson, Marna, Davidson, Jana, Cornish, Peter, and Doan, Quynh
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MENTAL health personnel ,PSYCHOMETRICS - Abstract
Background: Mental health challenges are highly prevalent in the post-secondary educational setting. Screening instruments have been shown to improve early detection and intervention. However, these tools often focus on specific diagnosable conditions, are not always designed with students in mind, and lack resource navigational support. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the adaptation of existing psychosocial assessment (HEARTSMAP) tools into a version that is fit-for-purpose for post-secondary students, called HEARTSMAP-U. Methods: We underwent a three-phase, multi-method tool adaptation process. First, a diverse study team proposed a preliminary version of HEARTSMAP-U and its conceptual framework. Second, we conducted a cross-sectional expert review study with Canadian mental health professionals (N = 28), to evaluate the clinical validity of tool content. Third, we conducted an iterative series of six focus groups with diverse post-secondary students (N = 54), to refine tool content and language, and ensure comprehensibility and relevance to end-users. Results: The adaptation process resulted in the HEARTSMAP-U self-assessment and resource navigational support tool, which evaluates psychosocial challenges across 10 sections. In Phase two, clinician experts expressed that HEARTSMAP-U's content aligned with their own professional experiences working with students. In Phase three, students identified multiple opportunities to improve the tool's end-user relevance by calling for more "common language," such as including examples, definitions, and avoiding technical jargon. Conclusions: The HEARTSMAP-U tool is well-positioned for further studies of its quantitative psychometric properties and clinical utility in the post-secondary educational setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
- Full Text
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14. The utility of universal screening for somatization in a pediatric emergency department: A prospective evaluation.
- Author
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Virk, Punit, Ellis, Jacob, Dhariwal, Amrit, Chapman, Andrea, and Doan, Quynh
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HOSPITAL emergency services , *CROSS-sectional method , *MEDICAL screening , *PEDIATRICS , *PSYCHOEDUCATION , *RISK assessment , *ADOLESCENT health , *SYMPTOMS , *SOMATOFORM disorders , *MIND & body therapies , *LONGITUDINAL method - Abstract
Objective: To evaluate clinical utility and feasibility of universal somatization screening in the pediatric emergency department (ED) using a standardized approach of (1) identifying potential somatizing symptoms within the ED, (2) introducing these patients and their caregivers to the concept of the 'mind-body connection', (3) corroborating the likelihood of a somatization diagnosis via brief psychiatric assessment, and (4) inviting families to a psychoeducational follow-up session. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to carry out this approach with families visiting a pediatric ED. Our primary outcome of screening utility was measured as the proportion of youth who screened positive for somatization by the ED clinician. Our secondary outcome of screening feasibility was measured as the proportion of patients with positives who (1) agreed to meet with the study psychiatrist, (2) consented to an ED psychiatric assessment, (3) were assessed by the study psychiatrist as likely experiencing somatization, and (4) were invited for follow-up and attended. Results: Of the 344 screened patients, 27 (7.8%) screened positive for somatization. Of these, 25 (92.6%) families verbally consented to meet the study psychiatrist to learn about the mind-body connection, and 21 (77.8%) consented to further psychiatric assessment. Upon assessment, the somatization likelihood was supported for all 21 youth. Twenty families were invited to follow-up and ultimately two (10%) attended. Conclusions: Somatization can be detected through ED-based universal screening. Few families attended psychoeducational follow-up. Further research is needed to determine appropriate ED-initiated pediatric somatization intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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15. Reliability testing of the HEARTSMAP psychosocial assessment tool for multidisciplinary use and in diverse emergency settings.
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Virk, Punit, Stenstrom, Rob, and Doan, Quynh
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PSYCHIATRIC diagnosis , *EMERGENCY physicians , *CASE studies , *MENTAL status examination , *PEDIATRICS , *INTER-observer reliability - Abstract
Objective HEARTSMAP is a tool developed to facilitate assessment and management of paediatric mental health (MH) patients by emergency department (ED) clinicians. We evaluate the inter-rater reliability of HEARTSMAP when administered by clinicians of various backgrounds. Methods In a cross-sectional study initiated in 2016, collaborating clinician evaluators (n=16) applied the HEARTSMAP tool to evaluate a set of 50 fictional clinical vignettes, digitally in an approach consistent with the anticipated tool's access and usage in clinical settings. Evaluators came from different types of health centres from across the province of British Columbia (Canada), including remote/rural, regional and urban academic health centres. Results We report moderate to near excellent agreement, overall among clinicians for all 10 of the tool's psychosocial sections (κ=0.43 to 0.93) and domain scores (κ=0.75 to 0.90), with acceptable agreement across all tool-triggered service recommendations (κ=0.36 to 0.65). Conclusions Our findings show that HEARTSMAP may be reliably used by ED clinicians in assessing MH issues among youth. Results from this study will assist in informing the wider clinical implementation of HEARTSMAP as a standard assessment tool, in diverse emergency care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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16. Evaluating the Psychometric Properties and Clinical Utility of a Digital Psychosocial Self-Screening Tool (HEARTSMAP-U) for Postsecondary Students: Prospective Cohort Study.
- Author
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Virk P, Arora R, Burt H, Finnamore C, Gadermann A, Barbic S, and Doan Q
- Abstract
Background: Existing screening tools for mental health issues among postsecondary students have several challenges, including a lack of standardization and codevelopment by students. HEARTSMAP-U was adapted to address these issues., Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of HEARTSMAP-U as a self-screening tool for psychosocial issues among postsecondary students by evaluating its validity evidence and clinical utility., Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with University of British Columbia Vancouver students to evaluate HEARTSMAP-U's predictive validity and convergent validity. Participating students completed baseline and 3-month follow-up assessments via HEARTSMAP-U and a clinician-administered interview., Results: In a diverse student sample (n=100), HEARTSMAP-U demonstrated high sensitivity (95%-100%) in identifying any psychiatric concerns that were flagged by a research clinician, with lower specificity (21%-25%). Strong convergent validity (r=0.54-0.68) was demonstrated when relevant domains and sections of HEARTSMAP-U were compared with those of other conceptually similar instruments., Conclusions: This preliminary evaluation suggests that HEARTSMAP-U may be suitable for screening in the postsecondary educational setting. However, a larger-scale evaluation is necessary to confirm and expand on these findings., (©Punit Virk, Ravia Arora, Heather Burt, Caitlin Finnamore, Anne Gadermann, Skye Barbic, Quynh Doan. Originally published in JMIR Mental Health (https://mental.jmir.org), 09.08.2023.)
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- 2023
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17. Response to Rejoinders: The importance of balanced, clear, and specific science communication.
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Virk P, Woodward ML, Doan Q, and Black TR
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- 2023
18. Pediatric somatization in the emergency department: assessing missed opportunities for early management.
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Virk P, Vo DX, Ellis J, and Doan Q
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- Child, Humans, Prevalence, Retrospective Studies, Somatoform Disorders, Emergency Service, Hospital
- Abstract
Objective: Somatization is a common phenomenon that can severely complicate youths' functioning and health. The burden of somatization on pediatric acute care settings is currently unclear; better understanding it may address challenges clinicians experience in effectively caring for somatizing patients. In this study, we estimate the prevalence of somatization in a pediatric emergency department (ED)., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of visits for non-critical, non-mental health-related concerns (n = 150) to a quaternary-level pediatric ED between July 2016 and August 2017. Demographic and clinical visit details were collected through chart review and used by two reviewing clinicians to classify whether each visit had a "probable," "unclear" (possible), or "unlikely" somatizing component., Results: Approximately 3.33% (n = 5) of youth displayed probable somatization, and an additional 13.33% (n = 20) possibly experienced a somatizing component but require additional psychosocial and visit documentation to be certain. Longer symptom duration and multiple negative diagnostic tests were associated with a higher likelihood of either probable or possible somatization., Conclusions: A considerable proportion of non-mental health-related visits may involve a somatizing component, indicating the burden of mental health concerns on the ED may be underestimated. A higher index of suspicion for the possibility of somatization may support clinicians in managing somatizing patients.
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- 2020
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19. MyHEARTSMAP: development and evaluation of a psychosocial self-assessment tool, for and by youth.
- Author
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Virk P, Laskin S, Gokiert R, Richardson C, Newton M, Stenstrom R, Wright B, Black T, and Doan Q
- Abstract
Background: Paediatric mental health-related visits to the emergency department are rising. However, few tools exist to identify concerns early and connect youth with appropriate mental healthcare. Our objective was to develop a digital youth psychosocial assessment and management tool (MyHEARTSMAP) and evaluate its inter-rater reliability when self-administered by a community-based sample of youth and parents., Methods: We conducted a multiphasic, multimethod study. In phase 1, focus group sessions were used to inform tool development, through an iterative modification process. In phase 2, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two rounds of evaluation, where participants used MyHEARTSMAP to assess 25 fictional cases., Results: MyHEARTSMAP displays good face and content validity, as supported by feedback from phase 1 focus groups with youth and parents (n=38). Among phase 2 participants (n=30), the tool showed moderate to excellent agreement across all psychosocial sections (κ=0.76-0.98)., Conclusions: Our findings show that MyHEARTSMAP is an approachable and interpretable psychosocial assessment and management tool that can be reliably applied by a diverse community sample of youth and parents., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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