Screening for adverse childhood experiences in pediatric primary care

38^th Asia-Pacific Nursing and Medicare Summit

OCTOBER 03-04, 2018 OSAKA, JAPAN

Kaylyn Parker

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services defines Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) as stressful or traumatic events including abuse and neglect in childhood that will be remembered into adulthood. This may also include household dysfunction such as witnessing physical abuse, sexual abuse, drug abuse, or having a family member incarcerated. Recently, research has been done to investigate adverse childhood experiences and the effects these experiences have on mental health, as well as physical health later in adulthood. Evidence confirms ACEs leads to a higher likelihood of chronic illness and comorbidities, which contribute to high health care costs across the nation as well as poor health outcomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently has two tools for screening of ACEs one for children, and one for adolescents. Both screening tools created by the AAP are utilized by some facilities, however, they are not used consistently and there are currently no guidelines in place for ACEs screening tools in pediatric primary care. Without proper screening tools in place, pediatric patients are at risk for preventable chronic disease/comorbidities.

Biography :

E-mail: kparker2009@outlook.com