Current State and Perspectives of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The goal of this research was to determine the current state of child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and based on the findings, point out some possible future prospects in these fields. For this purpose, a questionnaire regarding the existing state of services provided in the child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology in the county was designed and disseminated across the country. The representatives of 18 different governmental institutions (Psychiatric Clinics, Mental Health Centers, Health Clinics and Centers for Early Childhood Development) across Bosnia and Herzegovina completed the questionnaire. The data were collected from a total of 143 professionals and focused on minors, children ranging in age from birth through 18 years old. Professionals reported that 47.47% of their applied work with patients was with typically developing children, compared to working with children with special needs, where the average percentage across the institutions was 52.53%. A total of 143 experts who worked with the preschool children and minors reported that 35 of them (24.47%) worked directly with the children over 50% of their work-time, and 34 of them (23.77%) worked exclusively with children and minors. Based on the data collected and a descriptive analysis conducted, some recommendations were made for the future.