Most trainee paediatric doctors have dealt with children with mental health problems, however less than one in 10 felt well prepared to deal with such issues, a new study has found.

The findings indicate the need for more training in this area.

According to researchers in Dublin and Belfast, mental health disorders affect between 10-20% of children and adolescents worldwide, and children with behavioural or emotional problems face an increasing risk of experiencing a mental health disorder later in life.

The number of young people presenting to paediatric hospitals and Emergency Departments (EDs) with mental health issues is increasing globally. However, there is also a "clearly recognised shortage in the number of child psychiatrists".

As a result, there is a need for paediatricians to "narrow this gap in supporting these young people", the study stated.

However, it noted that previous surveys have found inadequate training, a lack of knowledge and a lack of confidence as barriers to adequately addressing patients' mental health issues.

The researchers decided to look closer at the situation in Ireland. They surveyed paediatric trainees with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Almost 100 trainees responded.

Of these, 98% said they had been involved in the management of a child with a mental health disorder, while 93% said they had seen an increase in the number of paediatric patients presenting with some kind of mental health issue.

However, just 8% felt well prepared to deal with such issues. Some 59% described themselves as 'somewhat' prepared, while 33% said they were ‘poorly' prepared.

Some 60% of trainees said they had not had any education or training opportunities in mental health at their current training site.

Common mental health problems the trainees dealt with included deliberate self-harm, eating disorders, depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

"The results of this study indicate needs for more training supports in this area...The rising number of children presenting with mental health problems demands a coordinated role between paediatricians and mental health professionals, thus making collaborative work between both services crucial," the researchers concluded.

Details of these findings are published in the Irish Medical Journal.