The outpatient developmental services project: Integration of pediatric psychology with primary medical care for children infected with HIV

Objective: To present a model in which pediatric psychology services are pr ogrammatically integrated into the primary care of children seen in a speci al immunology program. The program centers around serial neurodevelopmental / neuropsychological evaluation of children infected with HIV. Method: We describe the population served and the particular services provided, with s pecific focus on how the program was developed. We include a discussion of the barriers to service provision that have been encountered and the strate gies employed to overcome these challenges. Conclusions: This approach, whi le not ideal, serves as a good example of how pediatric psychology can merg e with primary medical care to maximize the benefits of both specialties fo r a patient population that is underserved in many respects.