Addressing Pediatric Developmental and Mental Health in Primary Care Using Tele-Education

Joyce N. Harrison, Janna Steinberg, Anna Maria Louise Wilms Floet, Nancy Grace, Deepa Menon, Rebecca German, Belinda Chen, Gayane Yenokyan, Mary L.O’Connor Leppert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an early childhood tele-education program in preparing community pediatric clinicians to manage developmental and mental health disorders in young children. Community pediatric clinicians from rural, underserved, or school-based health center practices in the mid-Atlantic region participated in a weekly tele-education videoconference. There was a significant knowledge gain evidenced by the percentage of questions answered correctly from pre- to post- didactic exposure (P <.001). Participants reported an increase in knowledge from pre- (P <.001) and in confidence from pre- to post- participation (P <.001). Practice management changes demonstrated an encouraging trend toward managing patients in the Medical Home, as compared with immediately deferring to specialists following participation. This early childhood tele-education videoconferencing program is a promising response to the urgent need to confidently increase the role of pediatricians in the provision of care for childhood developmental and mental health disorders.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)46-55
Number of pages10
JournalClinical pediatrics
Volume61
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2022

Keywords

  • developmental and behavioral pediatrics
  • medical education
  • project ECHO

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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