The Influence of Care Coordination on Patients With Special Health Care Needs in a Pediatric Residency Continuity Clinic

• Published in: Global pediatric health 2019, Vol.6, p.2333794X19848677
• Main Authors: Moeenuddin, Zohra, Kim-Kupfer, Caroline, Owchar, Erica, Baker, Joshua, Duffield, Amy, Santoro, Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Mental disorders; Mental health; Original
• ISSN: 2333-794X; 2333-794X
• DOI: 10.1177/2333794X19848677

This study evaluates the influence of comprehensive health care coordination for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) in a resident continuity clinic. CSHCN patients were identified from 2 resident continuity panels. Patients were eligible with a score of 2 or greater on the CSHCN screener. Interventions included extended appointment times, a binder, and direct phone access to the social worker who facilitated follow-up appointment scheduling. Data measured included completed and no-show visits for primary care and subspecialty appointments, hospitalization and emergency department visits, use of binders, and parent satisfaction surveys. Patients with a baseline CSHCN screener score ≥4 were 15.6 times more likely to keep their appointment after enrollment (P = .0035). Mental health no-show visits decreased significantly (P < .0001). The utilization of components of comprehensive team-based care coordination, even with limited resources, can improve the delivery of health care for children with complex medical needs and mental health disorders in a resident-based clinic.