Clinical decision-making in the treatment of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders in Australia
Creators: name: Bertie, Lizél-Antoinette
name: Hudson, Jennifer L.
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2025
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Cancer
subject: Statistics
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: Science Policy

description: Recent evidence that few help-seeking children and adolescents receive evidence-based care for anxiety in Australia highlighted the need for an increased understanding of clinical decision-making in this field. This article reports on a survey that explored the perspective of clinicians regarding the care they provide for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, and the factors influencing this decision-making process. Underlying decision-making constructs were investigated, including theoretical orientation, assessment, treatment planning and techniques, attitudes towards research and sources used to support clinical practice. Willingness to engage with clinical decision support was also examined. A sample of Australian mental health practitioners (<i>n</i> = 42) completed an online survey investigating clinical treatment decisions and the principles underlying their choices. Generally, clinicians subscribe to more than one theoretical orientation, with a majority incorporating a CBT approach. Clinical assessment and treatment formulation processes aligned with evidence-based practices and recommendations. Most clinicians reported high esteem for research to inform both their theoretical approach and clinical practice, and most respondents indicated interest in user-testing a decision support tool. In contrast to earlier research, Australian clinicians self-report routine employment of evidence-based practices to guide clinical assessment, treatment formulation and treatment delivery in their practices. Research suggests that children and adolescents are not receiving the recommended treatment for anxiety disorders.Research also suggests an imbalance between subjective (clinical judgement) and empirical (actuarial) methods underlying clinical decision-making.There is limited knowledge of the factors underlying clinical decision-making for childhood anxiety in real-world settings. Research suggests that children and adolescents are not receiving the recommended treatment for anxiety disorders. Research also suggests an imbalance between subjective (clinical judgement) and empirical (actuarial) methods underlying clinical decision-making. There is limited knowledge of the factors underlying clinical decision-making for childhood anxiety in real-world settings. A more nuanced understanding of clinical decision-making may facilitate personalised treatment approaches and improve mental health outcomes.Australian clinicians report routine reliance on evidence-based methods to guide clinical decision-making.Evidence-based decision support may be a viable approach to marry traditional with data-driven decision-making. A more nuanced understanding of clinical decision-making may facilitate personalised treatment approaches and improve mental health outcomes. Australian clinicians report routine reliance on evidence-based methods to guide clinical decision-making. Evidence-based decision support may be a viable approach to marry traditional with data-driven decision-making.