JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Adolescents often present at primary care with non-specific, physical symptoms, when in fact they have at least one mental health or risk behaviour (psychosocial) issue with which they would like help, but do not disclose to their provider. Despite global recommendations, over 50% of youth are not screened for mental health and risk behaviour issues in primary care.

Objective:

This review aimed to examine the acceptability, feasibility, benefits of and barriers to, the implementation of electronic screening tools for mental health and risk behaviours amongst youth in primary care settings.

Methods:

Electronic databases MEDLINE, CINHAL and SCOPUS were searched for studies on routine screening of youth in primary care settings. Screening tools needed to be electronic and screen for at least one mental health or risk behaviour issue. Eleven studies, all from high-income countries are reviewed.

Results:

Electronic screening was largely proved feasible, and acceptable to youth and their primary care providers. Pre-consultation electronic screening facilitated discussions about sensitive issues and increased disclosure by youth. However barriers such as lack of time, training, and discomfort in raising sensitive issues with youth continued to be reported.

Conclusions:

To implement electronic screening, clinicians need to change their behaviour, and electronic screening processes become normalised into their workflow. Co-design and tailoring screening implementation frameworks to meet specific contexts may be required, to ensure clinicians overcome initial inertia and perceived barriers, and adopt the required processes in their work. Clinical Trial: N/A