ERIC Number: EJ1460777
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Mar
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: 2024-01-30
Enhancing Diagnostic Follow-Up and Care Coordination for Children with Autism in a Busy Resident Continuity Clinic: Leveraging the Electronic Health Record
Laleh Bahrami1; Cara T. Miller1; Holly Miller1; Kathryn L. Carlson1; Tori E. Foster1,2; Abhinaya Ganesh1; David Johnson1; Barron L. Patterson1; Jeffrey F. Hine1,2
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v55 n3 p904-912 2025
Purpose: A high-quality primary care clinic should provide clear action points and important care coordination for a child receiving a new diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Unfortunately, a substantial proportion of caregivers report little-to-no post-diagnosis support from their home clinics and primary care providers often report lack of training and resources in providing these supports. Methods: We implemented an intervention package to investigate the impact on the frequency and quality of follow-up care for children with ASD in a busy, high-volume resident continuity clinic. The package consisted of a care coordination scheduling pathway and a standardized clinical template--embedded in the electronic health record (EHR)--that guided providers through best-practice recommendations and patient resources. Results: As a result of these interventions, 74% of patients had ASD-specific follow-up, a more than threefold increase from baseline with a majority of providers using the EHR-embedded template to guide their visit. Providers also indicated a high degree of usability for the system and that it aided them in following best-practice guidelines for ASD care. Conclusion: Through explicit scheduling pathways and a novel EHR template, we saw a significant increase in ASD-specific follow-up visits and implementation of best practices for ASD care, demonstrating a new process for training and engaging primary care providers in clear action steps for post-diagnostic care without having to rely on tertiary referrals.
Descriptors: Children, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intervention, Residential Care, Health Services, Clinical Diagnosis
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: UL1TR000445
Author Affiliations: 1Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Nashville, USA; 2Vanderbilt Kennedy Center-TRIAD, Nashville, USA