Early Digital Decisions for General Practice Excellence

A public health crisis is increasing numbers of children and adolescents with mental health disorders and need for services. In 2021, ~65,000 children and adolescents received Norwegian Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), a 14% increase over the previous year. While some increases are attributed to COVID-19, increasing prevalence began earlier, likely correlated with factors, including social media and climate change. Concurrently, there is a specialist mental health service provider shortage, leaving the burden to already overstretching general practitioners (GPs). This situation is not sustainable. EDDGE is designed to create "more for the same." Using the CAMHS model, EDDGE changes health system processes to increase effectiveness and efficiency in primary and specialty care. EDDGE brings digital and decentralized tools for clinical decision-making to GPs. These tools include ready access to evidence-based practice guidelines and community practice standards, derived from local health data, to optimize GP management of child and adolescent mental disorders and facilitate appropriate CAMHS referrals. The change process provides similar support for CAMHS, including guidelines and local health data to optimize practice, while providing guidelines for referral acceptance and returning care to GP's. This will promote cooperation between primary care and CAMHS services and create a robust and sustainable system for providing comprehensive mental health services for children, adolescents, and their families. Properly implemented, EDDGE serves as a model for other segments of the healthcare system by optimizing services for patients, citizens, and public health services. EDDGE strengthens new and existing clinical care through collaborations in the public and business sectors. Service users will be engaged in the design, evaluation, and implementation of EDDGE structures and processes, in collaboration with others involved in project development.