Enhancing the Capacity of Pediatric Primary Care Providers to Manage Anxiety A Pilot Trial of the Anxiety Action Plan

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to improve how pediatric primary care providers PCPs help children and teens with anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric illnesses in youth, often causing serious disability and predicting future mental health problems. However, many anxious children do not receive mental health services, especially in areas with few specialists. The study tests the Anxiety Action Plan AxAP, a brief intervention designed to be delivered by PCPs during community clinic visits to better identify and support anxious youth. The trial compares two approaches the Anxiety Action Plan MAPP, which includes about 4 sessions of a behavioral intervention based on exposure therapy strategies delivered by the PCP, and Enhanced Usual Care EUC, which provides families with videos, books, and other anxiety-reduction resources. PCPs in the MAPP group receive training, coaching sessions, and complete study questionnaires. Families assigned to MAPP receive the intervention from their PCP, while those in EUC receive educational materials. Participants will complete assessments including the Clinical Global Impression Improvement scale at 2 months post-intervention and again at 6 months. PCPs also complete outcome measures 2 months after their first enrolled family. The study involves questionnaires, evaluations, and follow-up visits to monitor anxiety symptoms and treatment effects. The total participation time varies but includes assessments at key intervals to measure improvements and feasibility of the new intervention.

Managing Anxiety in Pediatric Primary Care (MAPP)