Waitlist management in a pediatric weight management clinic: implementing an orientation session

Webb A Smith; Emily Gray; Tamekia L Jones; Joan C Han; E Thomaseo Burton

doi:10.1186/s12887-021-02868-w

Waitlist management in a pediatric weight management clinic: implementing an orientation session

BMC Pediatr. 2021 Sep 22;21(1):416. doi: 10.1186/s12887-021-02868-w.

Authors

Webb A Smith^{1

2}, Emily Gray³, Tamekia L Jones^{4

5

6}, Joan C Han^{4

5

7}, E Thomaseo Burton^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 50 North Dunlap Street, Room 453R, TN, 38103, Memphis, USA. wsmith74@uthsc.edu.
² Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, 50 North Dunlap Street, Room 453R, TN, 38103, Memphis, USA. wsmith74@uthsc.edu.
³ Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, TN, Memphis, USA.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 50 North Dunlap Street, Room 453R, TN, 38103, Memphis, USA.
⁵ Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, 50 North Dunlap Street, Room 453R, TN, 38103, Memphis, USA.
⁶ Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, TN, Memphis, USA.
⁷ Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, TN, Memphis, USA.

Abstract

Background: 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.

Methods: An 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.

Results: Of 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.

Conclusions: Orientation 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.

Keywords: Attrition; Engagement; Motivation; Pediatric obesity; Referral; Treatment initiation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Ambulatory Care
Ambulatory Care Facilities*
Appointments and Schedules*
Child
Humans
Motivation
Referral and Consultation
United States