The journal Pediatrics published research has found that a big percentage of children with mental health conditions like ADHD and anxiety are treated by only pediatricians. The researchers have based their findings on the data from 43,235 people aged between 2 and 21 from 2008 to 2011.

After going through the data, the researchers have found primary care doctors play a significant role in diagnosing and treating children’s mental health conditions. As per the researchers from the scientists at MassGeneral Hospital for Children in Boston, close to 35% of children going for mental health care in outpatient setting are being treated by primary care physician and 26% are being seen by psychiatrist and 15% by a psychologist or social worker.

In comparison to children with anxiety and mood disorders, more number of children with ADHD saw a primary care physician, 42% than 17%. Also, it was found that pediatricians prescribed medications to a higher percentage of children when compared to psychiatrists.

Children who were being seen by a pediatrician for ADHD were more likely to receive psychotropic medications in comparison to those with ADHD who were being checked by psychiatrists, 74% than 61%. The researchers said that around a quarter of children were being seen by more than one quarter.

“The thing that struck us were how many children were receiving mental healthcare from their primary care providers”, affirmed Dr. Jeanne Van Cleave, a pediatrician at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children.