{
  "abstract": "Psychological support has become increasingly recognized as a key component in improving outcomes in paediatric gastroenterology, complementing medical treatments. The biopsychosocial model provides a foundation for integrating psychological care, yet the demand for such services often exceeds availability. 1 In response to this need, a tertiary paediatric gastroenterology service successfully secured funding for a full-time embedded clinical psychologist (1.0 FTE) starting in September 2022. This transition from general paediatric psychology input to specialised care has led to the development of group interventions, a stepped-care model, and an increase in referrals. The team has also expanded to include an Assistant Psychologist (0.6 FTE) and Trainee Clinical Psychologists.This study aims to provide a retrospective analysis of referrals to the embedded psychology service between April 2024 and March 2025, examining conditions treated, reasons for referral, waiting times, and outcomes. A total of 155 children and young people (CYP) were referred, with 86% being outpatients. The most common conditions included Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (42%), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (32%), and Constipation/Toileting Difficulties (13%).For inpatient referrals, all were seen within 2 days. Outpatient referrals were scheduled for a telephone consultation with a member of the psychology team within an average of 24 days. These consultations allowed for a detailed discussion, the development of a working formulation, and a plan for support. The most common initial intervention was a group intervention (65%), followed by individual support through waitlists, priority interventions, or the Assistant Psychologist pathway (20%). Wait times for interventions ranged from 0 to 252 days, with an average wait of 68 days.Of the 121 referrals closed to psychology, 64 (53%) received intervention(s) and were discharged as planned. The remaining cases were closed at various stages due to reasons such as no longer requiring support, being referred to other services, or withdrawal (47%). Thirty-four CYP remained open to the service, either continuing interventions or on the waitlist.The data highlights the growing demand for psychological support and the benefits of embedding psychology within paediatric gastroenterology teams. This integration has allowed for a more efficient response to referrals, with many CYP accessing support more quickly than before. The stepped-care model has facilitated group interventions and low-intensity pathways, ensuring those who need individual support can be seen sooner.While the findings from this single-site study may not be generalizable to other services or populations, the results strongly suggest that embedding psychology within gastroenterology teams is beneficial. The study also highlights the need for continued support for referrals to appropriate services and further exploration of barriers to engagement with psychological interventions.Reference Wong E, Heuschkel R, Lindsay C, et al. The growing gap between demand and availability of clinical psychology in paediatric gastroenterology: a retrospective analysis of clinical routine care. European Journal of Pediatrics 2021 Apr;180(4):1307–12.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St Georges NHS, London"
      ],
      "name": "Holly Tallentire"
    }
  ],
  "title": "OC92 Embedding psychology into a tertiary gastroenterology service: a year-long retrospective study of referrals",
  "uid": "1fff0065-7342-55c1-a6d0-51f8f71b6dfc"
}