TY - JOUR
T1 - Early Intervention Referral Information, Transmission, and Sources - A Survey of State Part C Coordinators and Analysis of Referral Forms
AU - Sanders, Benjamin
AU - Zuckerman, Katharine E.
AU - Ash, Joan
AU - Kopstick, Avi J.
AU - Rivas Vazquez, Luis
AU - Gorman, Paul N.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
PY - 2022/4/1
Y1 - 2022/4/1
N2 - ABSTRACT:Objective:Early Intervention (EI) referral is a key connector between health care and early childhood systems serving children with developmental risks. This study aimed to describe the US network of EI referrals by answering the following: "What information is sent to EI?", "Who sends it?", and "How is it sent?"Method:This study combined an analysis of national document-based and website-based referral forms with a survey of state Part C Coordinators (PCCs). Data on referral forms were systematically collected from state agency websites. PCCs from 52 jurisdictions were surveyed to assess current EI referral practices. Descriptive statistics were used for responses to multiple-choice items; free-text answers were condensed into key study themes.Results:EI referral forms came as e-documents (81%) or websites (35%), and 72% were in English alone. They emphasized family and referral source contact information and reason for the referral. The survey results indicated that health care (45%) sends the most referrals, followed by families (30%). EI agencies received referrals by phone (38%), electronically (23%), e-mail (17%), and fax (17%), and PCCs valued this diversity of methods. Few states received referral data directly from electronic health records (EHRs); however, PCCs hope to eventually receive referrals through websites, mobile devices, and EHRs.Conclusion:EI referral data flow is complex, with opportunities for loss of children to follow-up. This study describes how EI referrals occur and provides examples of how communication and access to information may be improved.
AB - ABSTRACT:Objective:Early Intervention (EI) referral is a key connector between health care and early childhood systems serving children with developmental risks. This study aimed to describe the US network of EI referrals by answering the following: "What information is sent to EI?", "Who sends it?", and "How is it sent?"Method:This study combined an analysis of national document-based and website-based referral forms with a survey of state Part C Coordinators (PCCs). Data on referral forms were systematically collected from state agency websites. PCCs from 52 jurisdictions were surveyed to assess current EI referral practices. Descriptive statistics were used for responses to multiple-choice items; free-text answers were condensed into key study themes.Results:EI referral forms came as e-documents (81%) or websites (35%), and 72% were in English alone. They emphasized family and referral source contact information and reason for the referral. The survey results indicated that health care (45%) sends the most referrals, followed by families (30%). EI agencies received referrals by phone (38%), electronically (23%), e-mail (17%), and fax (17%), and PCCs valued this diversity of methods. Few states received referral data directly from electronic health records (EHRs); however, PCCs hope to eventually receive referrals through websites, mobile devices, and EHRs.Conclusion:EI referral data flow is complex, with opportunities for loss of children to follow-up. This study describes how EI referrals occur and provides examples of how communication and access to information may be improved.
KW - Early Intervention
KW - health inequity
KW - information technology
KW - referral and consultation
KW - surveys and questionnaires
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U2 - 10.1097/DBP.0000000000001004
DO - 10.1097/DBP.0000000000001004
M3 - Article
C2 - 34538858
AN - SCOPUS:85132453207
SN - 0196-206X
VL - 43
SP - E153-E161
JO - Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
JF - Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
IS - 3
ER -