Related Experiment Videos
A musculoskeletal outreach screening, treatment, and education program for urban minority children
Insights
A hospital outreach program identified numerous undiagnosed musculoskeletal disorders in urban minority children. This screening initiative successfully facilitated early diagnosis and treatment for pediatric musculoskeletal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Public Health Initiatives
- Community Outreach Programs
Background:
- Musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in children and can lead to long-term disability.
- Medically underserved urban minority populations often face barriers to accessing healthcare.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing pediatric musculoskeletal conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen minority children in underserved New York City areas for musculoskeletal diseases.
- To determine the prevalence of these conditions in the target population.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an outreach program in facilitating referrals and follow-up care.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based outreach program conducted screenings at schools and day-care centers.
- Children needing further evaluation were referred to a specialized musculoskeletal referral center.
- Strategies including bilingual education, transportation reimbursement, and coverage for uninsured children were employed to enhance participation and follow-up.
Main Results:
- A total of 2,523 children were screened.
- 168 children (6.7%) were referred for 45 different musculoskeletal disorders.
- Follow-up medical consultations were attended by 67% of referred children.
Conclusions:
- A significant number of urban minority children have undiagnosed musculoskeletal disorders.
- Untreated conditions pose a risk of future disability.
- Targeted screening programs are effective for early identification, diagnosis, treatment, and education.
Purpose:
A hospital-based outreach program was initiated to screen minority children in medically underserved areas of New York City for musculoskeletal diseases. We examine the number of such diseases in this population, and evaluate the program's success to facilitate referral and follow-up of children with referral conditions.
Methods:
Screenings were conducted at schools and day-care centers. Children requiring further evaluation were referred to the sponsoring hospital, a major referral center for musculoskeletal diseases. Bilingual educational strategies, transportation reimbursement, and coverage for uninsured children were used to foster participation and increase follow-up.
Results:
A total of 2,523 children were screened, 168 (6.7%) of whom were referred for one of 45 different musculoskeletal disorders, including scoliosis and back problems, foot problems, in- and out-toeing, knee or hip pain, and problems of joint range of motion. Sixty-seven percent of those referred had a follow-up medical consultation.
Conclusions:
A substantial proportion of urban minority children have previously undiagnosed musculoskeletal disorders that, if left untreated, have the potential to lead to significant disability in later life. Targeted screening programs can be effective in identifying such disorders, and providing and opportunity for early diagnosis, treatment, and education.