Medical Provider Satisfaction With Integrated Care in a Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic

• Published in: Families systems & health 2023-06, Vol.41 (2), p.207-213
• Main Authors: Nicolotti, Linda M., Koehler, Aubry N., Caballero Quinones, Elimarie, Ballard, Parissa J., Daniel, Stephanie S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Female; Gastroenterology; Gastrointestinal Disorders; Human; Integrated Services; Male; Medical Personnel; Outpatient Treatment; Pediatric nursing; Pediatrics; Preferences; Primary care; Primary Health Care; Psychologists; Satisfaction
• ISSN: 1091-7527; 1939-0602
• DOI: 10.1037/fsh0000736

Introduction: Benefits of behavioral health (BH) integrated care (IC) in pediatric primary care have been demonstrated (Asarnow et al., 2015). Pediatric subspecialty care treats patients with high levels of medical and psychosocial vulnerability and complexity (Samsel et al., 2017), underscoring the need for increased IC. Medical provider satisfaction (MPS) with IC is highly relevant for the utilization and expansion of these services. The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine MPS related to BH IC services in a pediatric gastroenterology clinic. Method: Eight pediatric gastroenterology providers working in an outpatient clinic completed a 32-item survey (adapted from Corso et al., 2016) assessing their satisfaction with integrated BH care services. Descriptive statistics were utilized to examine and summarize provider satisfaction data. Results: Pediatric gastroenterology medical providers reported high levels of satisfaction with existing IC services and a preference for embedded versus colocated IC. They perceived provider-related and clinical benefits of IC, felt that addressing BH issues is important, and believed IC is a valued service. Medical providers expressed that they wanted expanded IC services, including an embedded psychologist at more locations, BH screenings for younger patients, and an electronic psychosocial screening process. Discussion: The results of this study align with research findings regarding high medical provider satisfaction with IC in primary care and a preference for embedded BH services (Asarnow et al., 2015). While this preliminary study is small in scale, it is an important initial step to better understand MPS with IC in pediatric subspecialty care. Public Significance Statement This study suggests that pediatric gastroenterology medical providers have high satisfaction with behavioral health integrated care. They expressed higher levels of satisfaction with an embedded versus a colocated model of integrated care and a preference for expanded behavioral health services. Medical providers are integral for the implementation and utilization of integrated care services; therefore, their satisfaction with these services is highly relevant for the utilization and expansion of integrated care in pediatric subspecialty care.