366 - Pediatric Emergency Department- A missed opportunity for improving access to primary care in caregivers
Monday, May 1, 2023
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET
Poster Number: 366 Publication Number: 366.404
Priyanka Nair, Jackson Health system/University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States; Sara Cortes, Holtz Children's Hospital Jackson Memorial Hospital, Coral Gables, FL, United States
Resident Jackson Health system/University of Miami Miami, Florida, United States
Background: Parents’ health-seeking behavior and health status play a role in a child's development. Many caregivers may not have sufficient information about how to access primary healthcare. In 2018, roughly 18% of children in the United States were brought to a pediatric emergency department (PED) by their parents at least once Objective: The objective of this study was to examine whether a PED visit for a child can provide an opportunity for the adult caregiver to receive education about primary care Design/Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary-care pediatric emergency department (ED) and approved by the IRB. An anonymous survey was given to all adult caregivers during their child's low-acuity ED visit over a six-week period. The survey was available in both Spanish and English. Adult caregivers who had not seen a physician in the past 12 months were given a five-minute educational talk and a list of primary care resources. This group was contacted via phone one month after completing the survey for a follow-up. Demographic data, including highest education, income, and insurance information, was collected. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the responses Results: The study included a racially diverse sample of 97 individuals, with the majority (93%) being between the ages of 18 and 44 and predominantly female (80%). Of those with a PCP, 88% had visited a PCP in the last 12 months. A minority of the sample (40%) did not have a PCP themselves, with the most common reasons being related to lack of insurance (41%), followed by time constraints (20.5%) and financial concerns (15.4%). Following the PED visit, among those without a PCP (n=28), 60% made an appointment with a PCP, and among those with a PCP (n=10), 70% made an appointment with a PCP. When asked about discussing their own access to a PCP with their child's healthcare provider during an ED visit, 86% strongly agreed or agreed that they benefitted from the discussion, while 14% were neutral and no one disagreed.
Conclusion(s): After receiving a five-minute educational talk and a list of primary care resources during their child's low-acuity PED visit, a large proportion of adult caregivers without a PCP (60%) and those with a PCP (70%) made an appointment with a PCP. Additionally, most caregivers who discussed their own access to primary care with their child's healthcare provider during the PED visit found the discussion to be beneficial. These findings suggest that pediatric emergency departments can provide an opportunity to educate caregivers about their own primary healthcare
