Online tool used to speed up diagnosis

Young people with conditions such as depression, autism or ADHD could get psychiatric help sooner through new online interviews.

It is hoped the approach being trialled will see children being referred to the most appropriate services more quickly and with less stress than the current system.

The new European trial, led by Aberdeen University, will run in the Scottish Highlands and Finland.

Researchers said it is widely acknowledged the need for child and adolescent psychiatry services in the UK is greater than can be provided, with long waiting times, limited capacity among primary care services and a heavy travel burden for patients, their families and outpatient specialists.

GPs say they do not have the time or training to accurately diagnose children and young people with such conditions and therefore potentially refer them to inappropriate support services, which means the referral process can be drawn out and stressful.

The new trial will see parents of children, their teachers and the child themselves if aged over 11 take secure, structured computer psychiatric interviews specially designed to build up a detailed psychiatric history of the patient and give an accurate diagnosis.

This online information will be assessed by a psychiatrist and a recommendation made about the right service for the child or young person.

It is hoped the Development and Wellbeing Assessment will result in children or young people being referred to the most appropriate services more quickly and with less stress.

Professor Philip Wilson, head of the university’s centre for rural health, said: “The current system is inefficient at best and often results in families being sent from pillar to post.”

Prof Wilson says the current system is ‘inefficient’.