Can the GAD-7 be used to create valid, reliable, feasible and actionable outcome-focused paediatric anxiety quality measures for use across specialty and paediatric treatment settings?

BMJ Open. 2026 May 4;16(5):e119157. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-119157.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Paediatric anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood and adolescence, affecting between 15% and 30% of youth. Rates rose sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, and untreated anxiety is associated with impaired functioning and increased risk of depression, suicidality and substance use in adulthood. Evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are highly effective yet remain underused, while non-recommended treatments, including benzodiazepines, are often prescribed. Despite the public health burden, there are currently no endorsed outcome-focused quality measures for paediatric anxiety. Developing such measures would allow health systems and providers to track outcomes, reduce disparities and drive quality improvement.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study will develop and test two complementary outcome-focused paediatric anxiety quality measures based on the seven-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale: (1) remission (clinically significant reduction in anxiety symptoms to below threshold) and (2) response (clinically significant improvement, even if remission is not achieved). Using electronic health record and claims data from Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Kaiser Permanente Southern California from 2017 to 2024, we will establish measure inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluate the application of symptom weighting, test measure reliability and validity and implement casemix adjustment models. Analyses will examine disparities by race, ethnicity and social risk factors through linkage indices capturing local social determinants of health. Qualitative interviews with providers and electronic medical record vendors will be conducted to assess feasibility and usability. Measures will be prepared and submitted for endorsement by a national quality measurement body.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been reviewed and approved by the institutional review boards at RTI International and Kaiser Permanente. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, scientific conferences, stakeholder workshops and submissions to a national quality endorsement body.

PMID:42082212 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2026-119157