Document Type
Abstract
Publication Date
1-2020
Academic Year
2019-2020
Abstract
Introduction: Children who have experienced four or more ACES (adverse childhood events) are shown to have negative mental health outcomes. Adolescents living in the Philadelphia zip codes 19121 and 19132 have higher ACE scores. This makes it necessary for adolescent providers to screen for behavioral health issues in their patients and refer out to appropriate resources.
Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement study is to see what current barriers exist relating to physician referral and access to behavioral health resources for their patients.
Methods: A guide of behavioral health resources available to adolescents in 19121 and 19132 was made for this assessment. The next step will be to interview adolescent care providers in this community about the processes used in identifying behavioral health issues and resources if needed. Specific primary care sites will be contacted to identify appropriate providers interested in participating in an interview. The interviews will be used to collect information regarding the provider’s process of behavioral health screening and referral. Common themes and barriers will be identified.
Results: The behavioral health resource guide will be given to providers interviewed in the hopes of easing access to resources. I am currently waiting on getting approved as IRB-exempt before beginning interviews.
Conclusion: It is expected that potential barriers to access will include long wait times for patients, insurances not being accepted, and unawareness of current resources available. Accessibility to behavioral health resources would need to be improved for adolescent patients to receive appropriate mental healthcare.
Recommended Citation
Kaye, Courtney; Brawer, MPH, PhD, MCHES, Rickie; and Felter, PhD, LPC, Jeanne, "Quality Improvement Study of Behavioral Health Resources Access in 19121 and 19132" (2020). Phase 1. Paper 29.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/si_phr_2022_phase1/29
Language
English
