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Treating children at Urgent Care Centers: a qualitative study to determine how providers perceive managing pediatric
Therese L Canares1, Linda Brown2, Rebecca M Slotkin3
1Assistant Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. [Formerly a Fellow in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Hasbro Children's Hospital / The Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Insights
Urgent care centers (UCCs) increasingly treat children, yet provider perspectives on pediatric care are unclear. This study highlights challenges in managing young infants, head injuries, and uncooperative children in UCCs, recommending targeted education.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Urgent Care Medicine
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Urgent Care Centers (UCCs) are expanding, leading to increased pediatric patient volume.
- Limited understanding exists regarding UCC providers' views on managing common childhood illnesses.
- This research addresses the gap in knowledge concerning pediatric care in non-academic UCC settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore Urgent Care Center (UCC) providers' perceptions of pediatric patient care.
- To identify specific challenges encountered by UCC providers when managing common pediatric conditions.
- To inform quality improvement initiatives for pediatric care in UCCs.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews.
- Convenience sample of 12 UCC providers from 9 non-academic UCCs in Rhode Island.
- Content analysis of interview data to identify key themes and challenges.
Main Results:
- Three primary pediatric scenarios challenged UCC providers: acutely ill young infants, minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and uncooperative children needing procedures.
- Provider perceptions revealed a need for enhanced training and resources.
- The study identified specific areas for quality improvement in UCC pediatric care.
Conclusions:
- UCCs should implement quality initiatives focused on evidence-based management of common pediatric clinical scenarios.
- Disseminating validated guidelines and providing targeted education for non-pediatric trained providers are crucial.
- Integrating minimal sedation protocols for minor procedures can improve care for uncooperative children.
Abstract:
As Urgent Care Centers (UCCs) multiply, more children receive care in this setting. Little is known about UCC providers' perspectives on the management of common pediatric conditions. The objectives of this study are to describe the perceptions of UCC providers and identify challenges they face regarding common pediatric conditions. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 12 UCC providers from 9 non-academic UCCs in Rhode Island. Content analysis identified themes that describe perceptions of UCC providers regarding pediatric patients. Interviews identified three common pediatric scenarios that challenged UCC providers: acutely ill young infants, minor traumatic brain injury (mTBI), and uncooperative children requiring minor procedures. UCCs should focus quality initiatives to educate their providers on evidence-based management of common pediatric clinical scenarios. Efforts may include dissemination of validated guidelines, education targeted to non-pediatric trained providers, and the integration of minimal sedation protocols for minor procedures.
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