Using process evaluation to describe a hospital-based clinic for children coping with medical stressors
S D Kelley1, M Van Horn, D R DeMaso
1Harvard Children's Initiative/Harvard University, USA.
Insights
A hospital mental health clinic for children with medical stressors was developed using process evaluation. The clinic proved feasible and useful, fostering medical provider collaboration and informing future research.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Pediatric Psychology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Children facing medical stressors often require integrated mental health support.
- Hospital-based mental health services can bridge gaps in care for pediatric populations.
- Process evaluation is crucial for developing and refining clinical programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development of a hospital-based mental health clinic for children experiencing medical stressors.
- To utilize process evaluation methods to guide clinic development and identify key operational aspects.
Main Methods:
- A 21-month prospective study involving 356 children.
- Data collected from hospital administrative, clinic intake, and clinical records.
- Analysis of presenting concerns, service utilization, and referral sources.
Main Results:
- Approximately 90% of referrals originated from within the hospital.
- Pediatric specialists and psychology consultants were primary referrers.
- Referrals from pediatric specialists frequently cited procedural concerns and chronic illness.
Conclusions:
- Process evaluation effectively shaped clinical program direction and identified collaborative opportunities.
- The findings support the feasibility and utility of integrated mental health services in pediatric settings.
- This approach provides a foundation for planning future effectiveness research.
Objective:
To use process evaluation methods to describe the development of a hospital-based mental health clinic for children facing medical stressors.
Methods:
Over a 21-month time period, we collected data regarding presenting concern, service use, and referral source using hospital administrative, clinic intake, and clinical records for 356 children.
Results:
Nearly 90% of the children were referred to the clinic from sources within the hospital. With the exception of single session interventions, there were no differences in average length of services according to presenting concern. Hospital pediatric specialists and psychology consultants were the primary referrers to the program. Pediatric specialists referred more often for procedural concerns and chronic illness than other hospital referrers.
Conclusions:
These findings support the feasibility and usefulness of a process evaluation approach in shaping clinical program directions, creating opportunities for collaboration with medical providers, and planning effectiveness research.
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