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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedAdolphe S, Fernandez-Pastrana I, Scott H
EASE-ing the way for pediatric providers and parents: the Engagement and Access to Special Education (EASE) Clinic.
Primary Care Providers (PCPs) are tasked by the American Academy of Pediatrics to identify children who need special education and ensure that those children receive appropriate related services provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA entitles children between the ages of 3 and 21 to free education through individualized education programs (IEPs), and other related supports. The extent of PCP knowledge about the IDEA, special education, and available related support services and how to assess them, is largely unknown. Existing research indicates there is a lack of knowledge, training, and confidence in providers about special education. Boston Medical Center’s (BMC) Engagement and Access to Special Education (EASE) clinic was developed to provide support to the parents and PCPs of children with special education needs. The purpose of this article was to introduce and describe the EASE clinical model as a useful method for PCPs to strengthen their ability to provide appropriate and available comprehensive care to their patients requiring special education. The authors reported that of the 14,000 pediatric patients at the Boston Medical Center, 308 children were referred to the EASE clinic between its inception in 2017 and May 2021. The majority of children were Black non-Hispanic, English-speaking, and male, with an average age of 8.3 at first clinic. During that same time 452 total visits were completed, with a waiting list of less than 90 days. The authors conclude that for primary care practices with patients with special education needs, the BMC EASE clinic can serve as a useful model for improving their ability to provide care.
AHRQ-funded; HS022242.
Citation: Adolphe S, Fernandez-Pastrana I, Scott H .
EASE-ing the way for pediatric providers and parents: the Engagement and Access to Special Education (EASE) Clinic.
Acad Pediatr 2022 May-Jun;24(4):705-07. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2022.02.011..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Caregiving, Patient and Family Engagement, Vulnerable Populations, Disabilities
Kenney MK, Chanlongbutra A, Fanflick PL
AHRQ Author: Chanlongbutra A
Systems of care among children and youth with special health care needs with and without adverse childhood events: National Survey of Children's Health 2016-2017.
The purpose of the study was to compare Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) with non-CYSHCN in the likelihood of experiencing Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), and then document the differences in receiving recommended and needed health care services among CYSHCS with and without ACEs. The researchers studied a sample of 16,304 CYSHCN from the 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (N=71,181). The study found that CYHSCN had a greater likelihood of having each of the measured Adverse Childhood Events, and greater likelihood of experiencing aggregated levels of ACE’s than non-CYSHCN. In addition, an increase in ACEs was related to a decrease in the likelihood of a CYSHCN having a medical home with family-centered and coordinated care. Having one or greater ACEs increased the likelihood of having unmet mental health care needs. The study concluded that the researcher’s findings extend the current understanding of the relationship between CYSHCN and ACEs, and that the need for additional work to establish care systems for this vulnerable population continues.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kenney MK, Chanlongbutra A, Fanflick PL .
Systems of care among children and youth with special health care needs with and without adverse childhood events: National Survey of Children's Health 2016-2017.
Disabil Health J 2022 Apr;15(2):101226. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101226..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disabilities, Healthcare Delivery, Vulnerable Populations
Davidson L, Haynes SC, Favila-Meza A
Parent experience and cost savings associated with a novel tele-physiatry program for children living in rural and underserved communities.
This study investigated patient and therapist experience and cost savings from the payer perspective associated with a novel tele-physiatry program for children living in rural and underserved communities. Study setting was four school-based clinics in Northern California with a total of 268 encounters (124 telemedicine and 144 in-person). Parent and therapists reported no difference in experience and perceived quality of care between telemedicine and in-person encounters. For parents whose children received a telemedicine encounter, 54.8% reported no preference for their child’s subsequent encounter, 28.8% preferred a physiatrist telemedicine visit, and 12 preferred a physiatrist in-person visit. There was also an average cost savings of $100 per clinic owing to physician milage for in-person visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS025714.
Citation: Davidson L, Haynes SC, Favila-Meza A .
Parent experience and cost savings associated with a novel tele-physiatry program for children living in rural and underserved communities.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2022 Jan;103(1):8-13. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.07.807..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Costs, Rural Health, Vulnerable Populations, Disabilities, Rural/Inner-City Residents
Lindly O, Eaves MC, Xu Y
Therapy use for U.S. school-aged children with developmental disabilities: state variation and determinants.
This study’s objective was to determine geographic variability and determinants of therapy use among school-aged U.S. children with development disabilities (DD). The authors aimed to (1) determine if therapy use varies significantly by state and (2) examine associations of health determinants with therapy use among U.S. school-aged children with DD. They conducted a secondary analysis of 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children's Health data, with the sample including 9984 children with DD ages 6-17 years old. They found that overall, 34.6% of children used therapy services, with therapy use varying significantly across states. There were higher adjusted odds of therapy access associated with younger age, public insurance, functional limitations, individualized education program, frustration accessing services, and care coordination need. There were higher estimated annual Medicaid Home and Community-Based Service waiver costs associated with lower adjusted odds of therapy use in states with those waivers.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Lindly O, Eaves MC, Xu Y .
Therapy use for U.S. school-aged children with developmental disabilities: state variation and determinants.
Disabil Health J 2022 Jan; 15(1):101198. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101198..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disabilities