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Biomedical subjects

Peter S Jensen

Publications and source records attributed to Peter S Jensen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Barriers to the identification and management of psychosocial issues in children and maternal depression.

CONTEXT: Child psychosocial issues and maternal depression are underidentified and undertreated, but we know surprisingly little about the barriers to identification and treatment of these problems by primary care pediatricians. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work was to determine whether (1) perceived barriers to care for children's psychosocial issues and maternal depression aggregate into patient, physician, and organizational domains, (2) barrier domains are distinct for mothers and children, and (3) physician, patient, and practice/organizational characteristics are associated with different barrier domains for children and mothers. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the 50,818 US nonretired members of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Of a random sample of 1600 members, 832 (745 nontrainee members) responded. This was a mailed 8-page survey with no patients and no intervention. We measured physician assessment of barriers to providing psychosocial care for children's psychosocial problems and maternal depression. RESULTS: Pediatricians frequently endorse the lack of time to treat mental health problems (77.0%) and long waiting periods to see mental health providers (74.0%) as the most important barriers to the identification and treatment of children's psychosocial problems. For maternal depression, pediatricians most often endorsed lack of training in treatment (74.5%) and lack of time to treat (64.3%) as important barriers. Pediatricians' reports of barriers clustered into physician and organizational domains. Physician domains were distinct for children and mothers, but organizational domains were not. Several physician and practice characteristics are significantly associated with the 4 barrier scales, and different characteristics (eg, sociodemographic, attitudinal, and practice features) were related to each barrier area. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatricians endorse a wide range of barriers with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of children's mental health problems and maternal depression. The specificity of factors relating to various barrier areas suggests that overcoming barriers to the identification and treatment of child mental health problems and maternal depression in primary care pediatrics is likely to require a multifaceted approach that spans organizational, physician, and patient issues. In addition, comprehensive interventions will likely require social marketing approaches designed to engage diverse audiences of clinicians and their patients to participate.

Child↗
PubMed2006

Management of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with atypical antipsychotics: a systematic review of published clinical trials.

We aimed to provide a descriptive review of treatment studies of atypical antipsychotics in paediatric psychiatric disorders. A systematic review of the literature used Medline and EMBASE databases to identify clinical trials of atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents between 1994 and 2006. Trials were limited to double-blind studies and open-label studies of > or = 8 weeks duration that included > or = 20 patients. Nineteen double-blind and 22 open-label studies were identified. Studies included use of clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone in the treatment of disruptive behavioural disorders (DBDs), pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), tic disorder, psychotic disorders, and mania. These medications generally reduced the severity of a variety of psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents. Less frequent adverse events included extrapyramidal symptoms, hyperglycaemia and diabetes, and endocrine effects. The review of published scientific data suggests that most of the atypical antipsychotics, excluding clozapine, have a favourable risk/benefit profile and effectively reduce disabling behaviours in paediatric psychiatric patients. While there is a body of evidence published of treatment of DBDs and PDDs, there is a lack of controlled data to guide clinical practice for the use of atypical antipsychotics for paediatric psychotic disorders and bipolar disorder. While there have been studies with duration up to 2 years, no definitive data are available that suggest long-term safety; additional studies are warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Empirical evaluation of the generalizability of the sample from the multimodal treatment study for ADHD.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are criticized for the questionable generalizability of their patient samples to real world populations. This study compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of children from the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (MTA) to those from the NIMH Methods for the Epidemiology of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders (MECA) Study and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). On the whole, we found no compelling evidence against the representativeness of the MTA sample, but the limited power from MECA and NHANES may have lead to noteworthy differences between datasets being statistically nonsignificant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Implementation of evidence-based practices for children in four countries: a project of the World Psychiatric Association.

OBJECTIVE: The present study examined implementation issues in adopting cognitive-behavioral therapies in routine clinical settings in four countries reflecting diverse cultures, languages, settings, and traditions. METHOD: A Director's Systems Survey was administered prior to program implementation and one year later. Therapist ratings on attitudes about evidence-based practices and satisfaction were also gathered. RESULTS: All sites reported successful adoption of the program, although significant variations existed in fiscal support, family involvement, prior experience with cognitive-behavioral therapies, and plans for sustainability. Therapists' ratings indicated overall satisfaction with the implementation of the project. Findings from the Director's Systems Survey pointed to five factors facilitating implementation: 1) early adoption and guidance by innovative leaders (i.e., the Directors); 2) attention to the "fit" between the intervention model and local practices; 3) attention to front-end implementation processes (e.g., cultural adaptation, translation, training, fiscal issues); 4) attention to back-end processes early in the project (e.g., sustainability); and 5) establishing strong relationships with multiple stakeholders within the program setting. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation issues here mirror those identified in other studies of evidence-based practices uptake. Some of the obstacles to implementation of evidence-based practices may be generic, whereas issues such as the impact of political/economic instability, availability of translated materials, constitute unique stressors that differentially affect implementation efforts within specific countries.

Child↗
PubMed2006

Development of adaptable and flexible treatment manuals for externalizing and internalizing disorders in children and adolescents.

In this paper we describe the process used to develop treatment manuals for internalizing and externalizing disorders in children and adolescents. These manuals were developed to offer health care providers and others working in child mental health a flexible intervention that could be adapted to different countries and localities based on: 1) the amount of health care and school resources that are available; 2) the nature and severity of the types of problems children have; and 3) the preferences and cultural factors that are important within these communities. We also discuss the experiences and cultural issues faced by sites in Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, and Brazil who volunteered to implement the manualized treatment programs. The feedback received from these sites indicates that the manuals can be implemented to help children with internalizing and externalizing problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Training of evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches in cross-cultural contexts: challenges and solutions.

Dissemination of evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches for child and adolescent with behavioral and/or emotional problems is now a priority in the field worldwide. However, developing staff competence in evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches in different countries is complicated by some environmental and economic constraints. In this paper a distance training/supervision model is discussed. We describe seven specific challenges encountered and solutions used for overcoming the obstacles in order to implement evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches in different sites in Brazil, Egypt, Israel, and Lebanon.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

An examination of cross-cultural systems implementing evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches.

Implementation of evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches for youth with behavioral and/or emotional problems is rising to recognition worldwide. Feasibility research is critical to examine what characteristics of systems allow for success or barriers to the implementation of evidence-based practices into real-world settings, especially when working cross-culturally. This paper briefly reviews the experience of 4 international sites to understand how the overall structure and specific site variables directed the implementation of the World Health Organization and the World Psychiatry Association project. Discussion includes a thematic summary of the successes and challenges experienced by the sites, and future directions of feasibility studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Improving recognition of adolescent depression in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: To address the following questions: (1) What evidence (ie, psychometric data collected in pediatric primary care, patient outcome data) exists for the various methods used to identify adolescent depression in primary care? and (2) What identification practices are currently in use? DATA SOURCES: We systematically searched MEDLINE for English-language articles using specific search terms and examined relevant titles, abstracts, and articles. STUDY SELECTION: We reviewed 1743 MEDLINE abstracts. Seventy-four articles were pulled for examination, with 30 articles meeting full criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Five studies had adequate psychometric data on various adolescent depression identification methods in primary care. Only 1 compared the diagnostic accuracy of physicians trained to ask depression questions vs physicians trained in the use of a diagnostic aid. Six studies reported on current practice. Evidence regarding sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value was sought for question 1. Frequency of screening was sought for question 2. DATA SYNTHESIS: Review of these articles found that few health care professionals use systematic depression identification methods, despite some growing evidence for their validity, feasibility, and possible efficacy. CONCLUSION: Available evidence indicates that primary care professionals would improve their rates of depression diagnosis through training, but even more so by using adolescent symptom rating scales.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Remission versus response as the goal of therapy in ADHD: a new standard for the field?

BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a substantial negative impact; however, within long-term follow-up studies, a proportion of patients do very well, both symptomatically and functionally, suggesting that the lower the symptom burden, the greater the functional improvements. Studies in major depressive disorder have identified a relationship between symptomatic remission and restoration of normal functioning. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to propose a definition of remission in ADHD, review remission rates in clinical trials for commonly used medications, and explore the relationship between symptomatic remission and optimal functioning. METHODS: Remission and response rates for medications were obtained through MEDLINE searches of English-language citations (1999-2005) and meeting abstracts (2003-2005) using the terms amphetamine, atomoxetine, methylphenidate, ADHD, efficacy, effectiveness, and controlled trial, as well as hand searches of efficacy studies. Evidence from randomized controlled trials, as well as effectiveness studies, where the proportions of patients achieving predefined cutoff points for remission or response are reported, was reviewed. Because higher remission rates were identified with the oral, osmotic, controlled-release system (OROS) of methylphenidate, a relationship between symptomatic response/remission and optimal functioning was explored further. RESULTS: Remission in ADHD should be defined as a loss of diagnostic status, minimal or no symptoms, and optimal functioning when individuals are being treated with or without medication. Symptomatic remission can be operationalized as a mean total score of S1 on most standardized questionnaires. For the medications examined (OROS methylphenidate, immediate-release methylphenidate, atomoxetine, and mixed amphetamine salts), response rates were comparable at approximately 70% to 75%; however, remission rates were higher with OROS methylphenidate compared with either immediate-release methylphenidate or atomoxetine (remission rates with amphetamines were not found). Benefits, including decreased illness burden as well as improved psychosocial and academic functioning, were associated with treatment versus no treatment and were greater with medication that offered higher remission rates. CONCLUSIONS: The literature provided evidence that greater symptom improvements are associated with greater functional improvements, emphasizing that remission of ADHD as defined should be the goal of therapy. Treatment ought to include the early use of strategies with the greatest chance of achieving remission. Future clinical research should use remission as the primary outcome.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed2006

Treatment-related changes in objectively measured parenting behaviors in the multimodal treatment study of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The present study examined treatment outcomes for objectively measured parenting behavior in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Five hundred seventy-nine ethnically and socioeconomically diverse children with ADHD-combined type (ages 7.0-9.9 years) and their parent(s) were recruited at 6 sites in the United States and Canada and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups for 14 months of active intervention: medication management (MedMgt), intensive behavior therapy, combination of the 2 (Comb), or a community-treated comparison (CC). Baseline and posttreatment laboratory observations of parent-child interactions were coded by observers blind to treatment condition. Comb produced significantly greater improvements in constructive parenting than did MedMgt or CC, with effect sizes approaching medium for these contrasts. Treatment effects on child behaviors were not significant. The authors discuss the importance of changes in parenting behavior for families of children with ADHD and the need for reliable and objective measures in evaluating treatment outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The Texas Children's Medication Algorithm Project: revision of the algorithm for pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: In 1998, the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation developed algorithms for medication treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Advances in the psychopharmacology of ADHD and results of a feasibility study of algorithm use in community mental health centers caused the algorithm to be modified and updated. METHOD: We convened a consensus conference of academic clinicians and researchers, practicing clinicians, administrators, consumers, and families to revise the algorithms for the pharmacotherapy of ADHD itself as well as ADHD with specific comorbid disorders. New research was reviewed by national experts, and rationales were provided for proposed changes and additions to the algorithms. The changes to the algorithms were discussed and approved both by the national experts and experienced clinicians from the Texas public mental health system. RESULTS: The panel developed consensually agreed-upon algorithms for ADHD with and without comorbid disorders. The major changes included elimination of pemoline as a treatment option, adding atomoxetine to the algorithm, and refining guidelines for treating ADHD with comorbid depression, aggressive behaviors, and tic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Medication algorithms for ADHD can be modified to keep abreast of developments in the field. Although these evidence- and consensus-based treatment recommendations may be a useful approach to guide the treatment of ADHD in children, additional research is needed to determine how these algorithms can be used to maximally benefit child outcomes.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗
PubMed2006

Assessing medication effects in the MTA study using neuropsychological outcomes.

BACKGROUND: While studies have increasingly investigated deficits in reaction time (RT) and RT variability in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), few studies have examined the effects of stimulant medication on these important neuropsychological outcome measures. METHODS: 316 children who participated in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (MTA) completed the Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) at the 24-month assessment point. Outcome measures included standard CPT outcomes (e.g., errors of commission, mean hit reaction time (RT)) and RT indicators derived from an Ex-Gaussian distributional model (i.e., mu, sigma, and tau). RESULTS: Analyses revealed significant effects of medication across all neuropsychological outcome measures. Results on the Ex-Gaussian outcome measures revealed that stimulant medication slows RT and reduces RT variability. CONCLUSIONS: This demonstrates the importance of including analytic strategies that can accurately model the actual distributional pattern, including the positive skew. Further, the results of the study relate to several theoretical models of ADHD.

Amphetamine↗
PubMed2006

Interventions for adolescent depression in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Depression in adolescents is underrecognized and undertreated despite its poor long-term outcomes, including risk for suicide. Primary care settings may be critical venues for the identification of depression, but there is little information about the usefulness of primary care interventions. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the evidence for the treatment of depression in primary care settings, focusing on evidence concerning psychosocial, educational, and/or supportive intervention strategies. METHODS: Available data on brief psychosocial treatments for adolescent depression in primary settings were reviewed. Given the paucity of direct studies, we also drew on related literature to summarize available evidence whether brief, psychosocial support from a member of the primary care team, with or without medication, might improve depression outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 37 studies relevant to treating adolescent depression in primary care settings. Only 4 studies directly examined the impact of primary care-delivered psychosocial interventions for adolescent depression, but they suggest that such interventions can be effective. Indirect evidence from other psychosocial/behavioral interventions, including anticipatory guidance and efforts to enhance treatment adherence, and adult depression studies also show benefits of primary care-delivered interventions as well as the impact of provider training to enhance psychosocial skills. CONCLUSIONS: There is potential for successful treatment of adolescent depression in primary care, in view of evidence that brief, psychosocial support, with or without medication, has been shown to improve a range of outcomes, including adolescent depression itself. Given the great public health problem posed by adolescent depression, the likelihood that most depressed adolescents will not receive specialty services, and new guidelines for managing adolescent depression in primary care, clinicians may usefully consider initiation of supportive interventions in their primary care practices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

What is the evidence for evidence-based treatments? A hard look at our soft underbelly.

In the rising quest for evidence-based interventions, recent research often does not give adequate attention to "nonspecific therapeutic factors," including the effects of attention, positive regard, and therapeutic alliance, as well as the effects of treatment dose, intensity and actual processes mediating therapeutic change. To determine the extent to which recent clinical trial designs fully this problem, the authors conducted a systematic review of Psych-Lit/Medline of all controlled child psychotherapy treatment studies from 1995 to 2004. A total of 52 studies were identified that met review criteria: two or more therapy conditions and random assignment of participants to intervention groups. Of the 52 studies, one group (n = 29) compared a presumably active treatment with 1 or more similarly intensive treatments (often an attention control group) presumably not containing the active therapeutic ingredients. Of these, 14 studies found evidence of consistent differences between the two groups, whereas 15 did not. An additional group of studies (n = 27) compared therapy groups with different levels of intensity and "dose" of the putatively active treatment; 13 of these found evidence of the effects of different levels of treatment dose/intensity on outcomes and 14 did not. Four studies met criteria for inclusion in both groups. Across both groups of studies, when positive effects were found, few studies systematically explored whether the presumed active therapeutic ingredients actually accounted for the degree of change, nor did they often address plausible alternative explanations, such as nonspecific therapeutic factors of positive expectancies, therapeutic alliance, or attention. Findings suggest that many child psychotherapy treatment studies have not inadequately controlled for nonspecific factors such as attention and treatment intensity and have failed to assess specific mediators of change. Specific recommendations for future studies are offered, specifically: 1. Initial specification in study design how investigators will test if the intervention is efficacious over and above the effects of positive expectancies, positive regard, or attention; 2. Planned (rather than post hoc) analyses to explore whether and how a given treatment's specific ingredients or the overall intensity of its "dose" are related to treatment outcomes; 3. More studies conducting head-to-head tests of different types but equally credible forms of treatment, with planned analyses testing different mechanisms of change 4. When positive effects of a treatment vs. a control are found, systematic elimination of specific, competing hypotheses of reasons for treatment efficacy (e.g., attention, therapeutic alliance, face validity of treatment and client's treatment expectations, changes in self-efficacy), and 5. When negative effects are reported, appropriate analyses to address alternative explanations (lack of power, floor or ceiling effects, mediator analyses to address possible fidelity or adherence problems, therapist effects, absence of main effects but possible subgroup/moderator effects, etc.).

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Unanswered questions regarding atypical antipsychotic use in aggressive children and adolescents.

The aim of this paper was to discuss the arguments for and against the use of atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents with aggression, and provide recommendations for future research. A MEDLINE search (1985-2004) was performed to identify key literature. Search terms included, but were not limited to, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, ziprasidone, children, and adolescents. The search was limited to English-language literature and randomized controlled trials. The use of atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents has increased significantly over the past few years. Atypical antipsychotics are associated with a more favorable side-effect profile, and growing evidence supports their efficacy for aggression in this population. However, the long-term effects of these agents are unknown. No head-to-head evidence exists to suggest whether pharmacological or nonpharmacological treatments are superior for managing aggression associated with childhood and adolescent psychiatric and behavioral conditions. Future research of atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents needs to evaluate not only the efficacy but also the effectiveness. Examination of treatment mediators and moderators may help to optimize treatment regimens and improve patient outcomes. Finally, effective interventions require the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment strategies using a multidisciplinary approach.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Trends in the use of typical and atypical antipsychotics in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence rates of antipsychotic use in children and adolescents from 1996 to 2001 in three state Medicaid programs (midwestern [MM], southern [SM], and western [WM]) and one private managed care organization (MCO). METHOD: Prescription claims were used to evaluate antipsychotic prevalence, defined as the number of children and adolescents up to the age of 19 years with at least one prescription claim for an antipsychotic per 1,000 enrolled youths. RESULTS: From 1996 to 2001, the prevalence of total antipsychotic use increased in each program (MM: 4.7 to 14.3 per 1,000; SM: 6.3 to 15.5; WM: 4.5 to 6.9; and MCO: 1.5 to 3.4). Typical antipsychotic use decreased (MM: 3.7 to 2.0 per 1,000; SM: 4.6 to 1.5; WM: 4.4 to 1.3; and MCO: 1.2 to 0.9), while atypical antipsychotic use dramatically increased (MM: 1.4 to 13.1 per 1,000; SM: 2.5 to 14.9; WM: 0.3 to 6.2; and MCO: 0.4 to 2.7). CONCLUSIONS: The increased prevalence of antipsychotic use in children and adolescents from 1996 to 2001 was attributed to increased use of atypical antipsychotics. Given the limited data with atypical antipsychotics in youths, this emphasizes the need for additional studies of these agents and other treatment modalities in this population.

Adolescent↗