Pediatric and psychiatric collaboration in the management of childhood asthma.

With many asthmatic children for whom emotional factors are significant, joint pediatric and psychiatric management is essential. A three-level model of collaboration is presented, including (1) pediatric care, (2) psychiatric consultation, and (3) inpatient psychosomatic treatment. The organization, professional roles, and treatment protocol of the psychosomatic inpatient service are described. A review of the first 16 asthmatic children who received inpatient care in the program suggests that such a model may present a viable alternative to long-term residential care.