REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CHILD AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH
CM-CAH Report 3-A-07
Subject: Child Psychiatrists in State Agencies Policy-making Positions
Presented by: Jason Terk, MD, FAAP Chair
Referred to: Reference Committee on Public Health
According to the Texas State Classification System, there are 103 full-time physician specific positions in state government, 17 part-time physicians, and 1 temporary, part-time physician. This number only reflects state positions classified as physicians and does not include physicians who may occupy administrative and management positions in state government. The majority of the physician positions are medical consultants for specific programs or high-level administration personnel.
The Texas Medical Board indicates that there are currently 323 child and adolescent psychiatrists and one pediatric psychiatrist practicing in Texas. With so few child psychiatrists to serve the state's population, there is necessarily a dearth of expertise in this field among policy makers in state agencies that provide children's mental health services. These agencies include the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, and Texas Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. When developing plans, policies and procedures for the delivery of children's mental health services, it is essential to have clinical input and oversight from a child psychiatrist.
Recommendation : That the Texas Medical Association promote the establishment of child psychiatrist staff positions in all state agencies involved in policy making regarding children's mental health services to provide clinical input into policymaking and to provide oversight of implementation of those policies.
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2007
Last Updated On
July 07, 2010
Originally Published On
March 23, 2010