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Article
Diagnosis and Medication Overload? a Nurse Review of the Psychiatric Histories of Older Youth in Treatment Foster Care
Child Welfare (2011)
  • Julie E Bertram, University of Missouri-St. Louis
Abstract
Prior research has raised concern about the appropriateness of psychotropic medication use and the validity of psychiatric diagnosing for youth in child welfare but has lacked in-depth case information. This study reports results from a psychiatric nurse review conducted with eight youth entering a foster care intervention using case records and multiple key informant interviews. Results revealed extensive histories of unique (nonoverlapping) psychiatric diagnoses (M = 8, range 7-9) and past psychotropic medications (M = 13, range 9-21). The findings highlight the need to improve assessment practices and to create mechanisms that promote greater continuity of psychiatric care.


Keywords
  • Psychotropic Drugs
Disciplines
Publication Date
2011
Citation Information
Julie E Bertram. "Diagnosis and Medication Overload? a Nurse Review of the Psychiatric Histories of Older Youth in Treatment Foster Care" Child Welfare Vol. 90 Iss. 3 (2011) p. 27 - 43
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/julie-bertram/7/