Clinical Practices and Experiences about Screen Time: From the Perspective of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists in Turkey - An Online Survey

BACKGROUND: Both mental and physical preventable health problems related to screen time (ST) in children and adolescents are increasing. It is important that psychiatrists have awareness to prevent problems in this area. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the child psychiatrists’ awareness about ST, their interventions for ST, and to what extent the recommendations of the associations are implemented. METHOD: All child and adolescent psychiatrists in the country who could be reached via smartphone were invited to participate in the study. Child and adolescent psychiatrists were included regardless of whether they had attended any ST courses/panels. Data were collected through an online questionnaire. A total of 302 physicians volunteered for the study. RESULTS: It was determined that very few child and adolescent psychiatrists had attended an ST course/training in the past or followed any guidelines. A statistically significant difference was found between physicians who received training/courses and those who did not in terms of informing patients and offering interventions (p<0.05). Similarly, a significant difference was found between those who followed the guidelines and those who did not. CONCLUSION: Raising awareness, increasing psychiatrist participation in trainings, and following guidelines can increase the effectiveness of ST interventions, in order to achieve good results.