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An Assessment of a Socioeconomic Risk Screening Tool for Telemedicine Encounters in Pediatric Primary Care: A Pilot
Elizabeth Ireson1, Mary Carol Burkhardt1,2, Dominick DeBlasio1,2
1Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Insights
Screening for socioeconomic risks during pediatric telemedicine visits is feasible, with most identified risks leading to interventions. However, challenges remain in connecting families with recommended services.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Digital Health Equity
- Social Determinants of Health
Background:
- Socioeconomic adversity significantly impacts child health outcomes.
- The utilization of telemedicine in pediatric care has seen substantial growth.
- Integrating social needs assessments into routine care is crucial for holistic child health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot a socioeconomic risk screening tool integrated into pediatric telemedicine visits.
- To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of screening, risk identification, and referral generation.
- To assess patient satisfaction and barriers to accessing referred services.
Main Methods:
- A chart review of 179 telemedicine encounters using a piloted socioeconomic risk screening tool.
- Analysis of screening completion rates, positive screens, and referral generation.
- Follow-up telephone interviews to gauge family satisfaction and identify barriers to intervention.
Main Results:
- The screening tool was completed in 63% of telemedicine encounters, identifying socioeconomic risks in 5%.
- Ninety percent of families with identified risks received a referral or intervention.
- While families reported satisfaction with telemedicine, 31% experienced difficulties accessing recommended services.
Conclusions:
- Implementing socioeconomic risk screening within pediatric telemedicine is achievable and can lead to timely interventions.
- Telemedicine platforms can effectively identify children facing socioeconomic adversity.
- Addressing barriers to service connection is essential to maximize the impact of telemedicine-based social needs interventions.
Abstract:
Socioeconomic adversity negatively affects child health. Telemedicine use in pediatrics is rapidly expanding. We piloted a socioeconomic risk screening tool within telemedicine visits. Using chart review, our primary aim was to assess the rates of screen completion, risk identification, and referral generation during telemedicine visits. Our secondary aim was to assess family satisfaction and barriers to connecting with referrals/interventions through follow-up telephone interviews. This study included 179 telemedicine encounters. The screening tool was completed in 63% of encounters and was positive in 5% of encounters. Of those who identified socioeconomic risks, 90% received a referral/intervention (social work consultation, food pantry, etc.). During follow-up calls, families expressed satisfaction with telemedicine, though 31% described difficulty connecting with the recommended services. High rates of socioeconomic risk screening resulting in interventions are achievable during telemedicine visits. Further work is needed to identify optimal socioeconomic risk screening questions and opportunities, and to ensure successful interventions.
