From profiles to precision: incorporating the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to inform treatment planning in outpatient psychiatry

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating an integrative screening procedure comprised of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and The Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS-5) (part A) into the initial referral process at a public outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry clinic. We aimed to (1) evaluate the feasibility of the screening procedure; (2) identify distinct psychosocial profiles through latent profile analysis (LPA); and (3) determine whether these unique profiles correlate with varying symptom severity levels to enhance treatment precision. Data from 901 families referred to a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic between January 2024 and January 2025 were analyzed. Parents completed the PAT, SDQ and CPSS-A online prior to intake. LPA was used to identify psychosocial profiles. A pre-post comparison assessed whether implementation of screening increased rates of comprehensive care (psychiatric and para-medical treatment). Screening completion was high (95.7%), indicating strong feasibility. The LPA revealed three distinct profiles: Child Focused Profile (79.1%), Low Social Support Profile (12.5%), and High Parental Stress Profile (8.5%). These profiles differed in trauma exposure, family structure, and SDQ symptom patterns. Following implementation, a significantly greater proportion of patients received comprehensive care compared to the previous year (82.1% vs. 77.5%, p = .012). Integrating the PAT, SDQ and CPSS-A at intake is feasible and facilitates meaningful psychosocial profiling that may support triage and tailored interventions. Profile-informed care has the potential to enhance treatment precision and resource allocation in overstretched mental health systems.