Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess if enrollment in a pediatric multidisciplinary aerodigestive program significantly impacted families' experiences with care integration.
Methods: A previously validated 48-question Pediatric Integrated Care Survey (PICS) was administered in a cross-sectional manner to both new (new-ADC) and established (est-ADC) patients presenting for an outpatient Aerodigestive Center visit at Boston Children's Hospital. Survey results were grouped into the following five care coordination domains: (1) access to care, (2) care goal creation/planning, (3) family impact, (4) communication with health care providers, and (5) team functioning. Families were asked to rate their care integration experiences in the prior 12 months using yes/no and Likert-based questions. Comparisons were analyzed using logistic regression. Factor analysis was also performed.
Results: Ninety patient families were surveyed: 54 (60%) est-ADC patients and 36 (40%) new-ADC patients. Est-ADC patients reported higher levels of experience with team functioning, provider awareness of prior testing, provider communication, and access to alternative methods of communication. Self-identified non-White patients reported lower satisfaction in team functioning and provider understanding of their child's long-term care plan. No significant differences in care integration experiences before and after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic were seen.
Conclusions: Patients enrolled in aerodigestive centers experienced improved care integration, most significantly in provider communication and team functioning. Despite these improvements, self-identified non-White families reported a lower care integration experience.
Keywords: care coordination; health equity; medical complexity; multidisciplinary.
© 2023 European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.