June 03, 2008
Waiting Room Gadgets Can Change Practice
Technology may be able to help in the identification of high-risk behaviors among adolescents. New research in the June issue of Pediatrics finds that kids who use a touch pad device are more likely to share critical info with doctor. A study conducted by researchers at the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practices in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, compared the results of 878 primary care patients, ages 11 to 20 years, who participated in a unique, computerized behavioral screening system called Health eTouch.
Study participants took part in the touchpad screening in the waiting rooms of the urban clinics they attended. These clinics were randomly assigned to have pediatricians either receive screening results just prior to face-to-face encounters with patients. When provided with the screening results, pediatricians were able to view a summary of patient responses to screening questions, as well as a list of flagged responses thought to be indicative of high-risk behaviors and an overall positive or negative rating for various behavioral concerns tested during the screening process.
After participating in Health eTouch, 59 percent of respondents screened positive for at least one of the following behavioral concerns: injury risk behaviors, significant depressive symptoms or substance use. Of those youths who screened positive and whose results were provided to pediatricians just prior to their consultation, 68 percent were identified as having a problem by their pediatrician, while only 52 percent of youths whose results were delayed were identified as having a problem by their pediatrician.
Routine behavioral screening, although critical in identifying and addressing high-risk behaviors, often does not occur or is limited due to the time constraints and competing demands facing primary care physicians. This research has shown that recent advances in information technology, such as the Health eTouch system, and the immediate reporting of computerized screening results may help overcome barriers to behavioral screening. Direct data entry by youths in waiting rooms and automated scoring and printing programs minimize staff time necessary for screening, scoring, reporting and filing results. Also, past research has shown adults and adolescents are more willing to disclose sensitive information to a computer than to a clinician.
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Posted by rsk at June 3, 2008 02:46 PM