Abstract
BackgroundThis study evaluates implementation of an orientation session to address a waitlist of more than 2000 referrals to a pediatric weight management clinic in the Mid-South United States.MethodsAn hour-long group-based orientation to the pediatric weight management clinic was implemented to provide information about the structure and expectations of the clinic as well as education on healthy lifestyle recommendations. Families were contacted from the waitlist by telephone and invited to attend an orientation session prior to scheduling a clinic appointment.ResultsOf 2251 patients contacted from the waitlist, 768 scheduled an orientation session, of which 264 (34 %) attended. Of the 264 orientation participants, 246 (93 %) scheduled a clinic appointment. Of those, 193 (79 %) completed a clinic visit. Waitlist times decreased from 297.8 ± 219.4 days prior to implementation of orientation sessions to 104.1 ± 219.4 days after.ConclusionsOrientation has been an effective and efficient way to triage patient referrals while maximizing attendance in limited clinic slots for patients and families demonstrating interest and motivation. Elements of this approach are likely generalizable to other pediatric clinical settings that must strategically manage a large volume of patient referrals.
Highlights
IntroductionChildren and adolescents with obesity are at increased risk for physical (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes) and socioemotional (e.g., depression, anxiety, stigmatization) comorbidities as well as premature mortality, all of which are Comprehensive management of pediatric obesity may be outside the scope of general practitioners, who are encouraged to refer severe and refractory cases for tertiary interdisciplinary care [5, 6]
This study evaluates implementation of an orientation session to address a waitlist of more than 2000 referrals to a pediatric weight management clinic in the Mid-South United States
It is important to direct existing resources to those most ready to take advantage of pediatric weight management [19]. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the implementation of an orientation session within a pediatric weight management clinic
Summary
Children and adolescents with obesity are at increased risk for physical (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes) and socioemotional (e.g., depression, anxiety, stigmatization) comorbidities as well as premature mortality, all of which are Comprehensive management of pediatric obesity may be outside the scope of general practitioners, who are encouraged to refer severe and refractory cases for tertiary interdisciplinary care [5, 6]. Demand for these comprehensive programs tends to outpace the clinical capacity for treatment [7, 8]. Common predictors of noninitiation with pediatric weight management include public insurance, race/ethnicity, and low-income status [15, 16], which may point to competing priorities wherein families make healthcare decisions in a context of limited time and resources [17]
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