Youth version, Case‐finding and Help Assessment Tool (YouthCHAT): An electronic, psychosocial screener for young people with long‐term physical conditions

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the acceptability, clinical utility and preliminary effectiveness of Youth version, Case-finding and Help Assessment Tool (YouthCHAT), a novel electronic, tablet-based screener designed to identify issues similar to Home, Education/Employment, Activity, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/Depression, Safety assessment. Methods: YouthCHAT was administered to a group of 30 young people aged 13-17 years with different long-term physical conditions attending outpatient clinics between September and December 2017. Outcome measures were: (i) acceptability and feasibility of YouthCHAT as assessed via feedback from young people and clinicians and the time taken to complete YouthCHAT screening; and (ii) detection rates for each domain of YouthCHAT measured by mental health or life-style issues 'present' or 'absent', and where relevant, validated symptom scores. Results: YouthCHAT was quick to administer and positively received by both young people and clinicians. Rates of anxiety (37%) and depression (13%) detected using YouthCHAT were similar to those in previous studies of young people with long-term physical conditions. Rates of other problems were similar to a previously screened high school sample. Conclusions: YouthCHAT is a viable and acceptable psychosocial screener with the potential to improve the holistic care of young people with long-term physical conditions attending outpatient clinics. Trial Registration: This study has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Network Registry ACTRN12616001243404p.Potential lack of privacy during screening 'There has to be a more private setting for them to complete the questionnaireso that parents can't see their answering'

Psychosocial Challenges and Opportunities for Youth With Chronic Health Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Opportunistically screen for psychological issues, especially anxiety and depression, during clinical contacts using paper-based instruments such as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7 items and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item or electronic methods such as YouthCHAT [ 66 , 67 ]…”

<p>Young Minds: Mental Health and Transitional Care in Adolescent and Young Adult Rheumatology</p>

“…97 The potential of tablet-based screening tools with young people with long-term physical conditions are awaited with interest as they can be used prior to the actual consultation and the information gained can then inform the consultation, eg YouthCHAT (Youth version, casefinding and help assessment tool) which is an electronic, psychosocial screener for young people, which has been shown to be acceptable and feasible to use with young people with long-term physical conditions. 98 Involvement of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) is imperative for managing young people with overlapping medical and mental health conditions. However, psychological support for CYP with RMD in the UK is inadequate.…”

An electronic patient-reported outcome created based on my needs is worth using: an explorative qualitative study investigating young people’s opinions for a health assessment tool

“…Young people have stated that using a PRO before a healthcare appointment allowed them more time to talk about what is most important to them during the appointment [ 10 ]. Examples of PROs for young people that are feasible, accepted, and used clinically are the SEXual health Identification Tool (SEXIT), developed to identify Swedish young people exposed to or at risk of poor sexual health [ 13 , 14 ], and YouthCHAT, with purpose to identify psychosocial and mental health issues in young people in New Zealand [ 11 , 15 , 16 ]. As PROs/ePROs are increasingly recognized for their utility, platforms of PROs/ePROs are being created, for example the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) [ 7 ].…”