Collaboration between Pediatric Primary Care Providers and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists in Arkansas: Where to Start?

There is a considerable shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) in Arkansas. Collaboration between pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) and CPSs is an innovative model of care that may address this shortage. A tiered model of collaboration, ranging from brief speciality consultation to intensive psychiatric services, may help with early treatment and expeansion of available services to a larger population. We describe the current state of collaboration in Arkansas between the two specialties and steps for additional collaboration.