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Improving Efficiency and Equity in Early Autism Evaluations: The (S)TAAR Model
Meredith I Brinster1, Briana H Brukilacchio2, Autumn Fikki-Urbanovsky2
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Health Discovery Building, 1601 Trinity St., Bldg B, Z0600, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
Insights
The (Sin Exclusión) Transdisciplinary Autism Assessment and Resources ([S]TAAR) model improved access to autism evaluations for young children. This approach ensured equitable care across diverse populations, reducing wait times and enhancing efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Early autism identification is crucial for intervention.
- Access to comprehensive autism evaluations can be inequitable and inefficient.
- The (Sin Exclusión) Transdisciplinary Autism Assessment and Resources ([S]TAAR) model was developed to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the [S]TAAR model for autism evaluations.
- To present early metrics on the efficiency and equity of the [S]TAAR model.
- To assess the impact of the model on access to care for young children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 173 children (08/2018-08/2019).
- Implementation of a transdisciplinary team model with care coordination.
- Key processes included pre-visit triage, synchronous evaluations, case conferencing, and huddles.
Main Results:
- Increased patient throughput for children under 4 years old.
- Reduced waitlist times and time to diagnosis.
- Equitable improvements in access across race, ethnicity, language, and insurance type.
- Improved provider satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- The [S]TAAR model effectively enhances efficiency and equity in autism evaluations.
- Transdisciplinary team-based approaches improve access to timely and high-quality diagnostic services.
- The model demonstrates a successful strategy for addressing disparities in developmental screening and diagnosis.
Abstract:
This paper describes the (Sin Exclusión) Transdisciplinary Autism Assessment and Resources ([S]TAAR) model and presents early metrics tracking efficiency and equity in access to high-quality comprehensive autism evaluations for young children. Retrospective chart reviews over one year (08/2018-08/2019) with n = 173 children were reviewed. Through care coordination with community providers, the model was developed to meet local needs by increasing throughput of children (< 4 years old) evaluated by a transdisciplinary team. Team-based processes included pre-visit triage, synchronous evaluation procedures, case conferencing, huddles, and care coordination. The model led to increased patient throughput, reductions in waitlist and time to diagnosis, and improved provider satisfaction. Improvements in access to care were equitable across patient race, ethnicity, language, and insurance type.
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