Examining Patient- and Community-Level Factors Associated with Pediatric Mental Healthcare Access Within a Patient Navigation Program

Dados Bibliográficos

ID8908916
AutoresCaitlin Koob (0000-0001-8652-2413, Prisma Health, autor correspondente), Mackenzie Stuenkel (0000-0001-6703-2195, Prisma Health), Ryan J Gagnon (0000-0002-0338-6370, Clemson University), Sarah F Griffin (0000-0003-4820-3985, Clemson University), Kerry Sease (0000-0002-3790-0147, Prisma Health)
Ano2024
Volume60
Fascículo6
Páginas1055-1067
Data de publicação2024-03-20
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCommunity Mental Health Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0010-3853 • E-ISSN: 1573-2789
EditoraSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s10597-024-01258-7
PMID38507129
OpenAlexW4392988322
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas56

In 2021, national leaders in the United States declared a "national youth mental health crisis." Still, only 1-in-4 children receive adequate mental healthcare access. Patient Navigator Programs (PNPs) can improve children's referral-to-connection to mental health services. We examined patient- and community-level factors associated with pediatric mental healthcare access. Pediatric Support Services (PSS) is a PNP that triages mental and behavioral health referrals within a large health system in a southeastern state. This study analyzes PSS data from September 2017-March 2023 and Child Opportunity Index 2.0 state-normed zip-code level data to assess social drivers of health estimates. Structural equation modeling was conducted between patient- and community-level factors and connection to mental health services. Overall, 62.7% of children connected to mental health services since PSS' inception. Regardless of SDOH, as children get older, they are more likely to connect with mental health services (β = .053, SE = .010, p < .001). Children with greater number of referral needs are more likely to connect with mental health services (β = .034, SE = .011, p = .002). Further, children who live in communities with higher opportunity levels are more likely to connect with mental health services (β = .016, SE = .008, p = .040), suggesting that children who live in low-income communities experience more barriers to mental healthcare. Social drivers may inform referral practices and tiered navigation support for optimal mental healthcare access among children. Further research should demonstrate the effectiveness of PNPs integrated within healthcare and community-based settings

Family medicine · Health care · Mental health · Mental healthcare · Political science · Psychiatry · Referral · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Child and Adolescent Health · Emergency and Acute Care Studies · Medicine