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Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Questions to Ask Before Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment
Treatment in a psychiatric hospital is one of several
options when a child or adolescent is mentally ill. Parents
are naturally concerned and may be frightened and confused
when inpatient treatment is recommended for their child. By
asking the following questions, parents will gain a better
understanding of the proposed stay in an inpatient facility:
- Why is psychiatric inpatient treatment being recommended
for our child, and how will it help our child?
- What are treatment alternatives to hospital treatment,
and how do they compare?
- Is a child and adolescent psychiatrist admitting our
child to the hospital?
- What does the program for inpatient treatment include,
and how will our child be able to keep up with
schoolwork?
- What are the responsibilities of the child and
adolescent psychiatrist and other people on the
treatment team?
- How long will our child be in the hospital, and how do
we pay for these services?
- What will happen if we can no longer afford to keep our
child in the hospital even though inpatient treatment
may still be necessary?
- How will we as parents be involved in our child's
hospitalization, including the decision for discharge
and after-care treatment?
- Is this hospital approved by the Joint Commission for
the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) as
a treatment facility for youngsters of our child's age,
or will our child be on a specialized unit or in a
program accredited for treatment of children and
adolescents?
- How will the decision be made to discharge our child
from the hospital?
- Once our child is discharged, what are the plans for
follow-up treatment?
Hospital treatment is a serious matter for parents,
children, and adolescents. Parents should raise these
questions before their child or adolescent is admitted to
the hospital. Parents who are informed about the hospital's
treatment plan and procedures can fully contribute to the
effectiveness of their child's treatment.
If, after asking the above questions, parents still have
serious questions or doubts, they should feel free to ask
for a second opinion. Parents seeking a referral to a local
child and adolescent psychiatrist may contact:
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
3615 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 966-7300
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