An Evaluation of CHKD GAP Clinic Provider’s Utilization of Resources for Food Insecure Pediatric Patients
Abstract
Introduction
In Norfolk, Virginia, a disproportionate rate of food insecurity (FI) is present between the general population and children: 13.3% (2022) and 18.4% (2017), respectively. To better identify FI and other stressors among children in Norfolk, the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) General Academic Pediatrics (GAP) clinic uses the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) Model as a screening tool. After patients and caregivers complete the SEEK survey, providers enter their advice regarding interventions, referrals, and follow-up visits into three free text fields –concerns, referrals, and follow-up. The following study will aim to identify if GAP pediatricians interpret the SEEK results to provide resources and interventions to mitigate FI among pediatric patients and caregivers.
Data
Data was collected from 14,784 patients between April 2022 and May 2024 via CHKD health system electronic medical records. The three free-text fields where providers entered their interpretation of the patient SEEK responses —concerns, referrals, and follow-up— were categorized and coded. Frequencies for each category within each of these three fields were quantified amongst the 340 FI patients (2.3% ).
Results
Out of the 340 FI patients identified, 213 patients did not receive documentation of an intervention while 127 patients did, with the most common being food bags and social work referrals (Table 1). Table 2 shows that 89 referrals to social work were made. Both table 1 and 2 observe that providers mostly utilize food bags and social work referrals to alleviate concern for FI. Quantifying the amount of time till the next visit reveals that most providers did not recommend a follow-up appointment, followed by offering a one-year follow-up appointment.
Discussion
Quantifying provider concerns and referrals given helps evaluate what resources providers are utilizing to minimize FI and how aware GAP providers are about resources that are available. One limitation for interpreting this data includes that providers may have only recorded their concerns and interventions in only their powernote and not in the free text fields of the SEEK survey. Additionally, reluctance amongst caregivers to state their FI may contribute to the low rate of FI observed, 2.3%. Future studies should compare the objective SEEK screening results to the provider’s interpretations, analyze other risk factors screened by the SEEK survey, and parental reluctance to share FI.
An Evaluation of CHKD GAP Clinic Provider’s Utilization of Resources for Food Insecure Pediatric Patients
Introduction
In Norfolk, Virginia, a disproportionate rate of food insecurity (FI) is present between the general population and children: 13.3% (2022) and 18.4% (2017), respectively. To better identify FI and other stressors among children in Norfolk, the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) General Academic Pediatrics (GAP) clinic uses the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) Model as a screening tool. After patients and caregivers complete the SEEK survey, providers enter their advice regarding interventions, referrals, and follow-up visits into three free text fields –concerns, referrals, and follow-up. The following study will aim to identify if GAP pediatricians interpret the SEEK results to provide resources and interventions to mitigate FI among pediatric patients and caregivers.
Data
Data was collected from 14,784 patients between April 2022 and May 2024 via CHKD health system electronic medical records. The three free-text fields where providers entered their interpretation of the patient SEEK responses —concerns, referrals, and follow-up— were categorized and coded. Frequencies for each category within each of these three fields were quantified amongst the 340 FI patients (2.3% ).
Results
Out of the 340 FI patients identified, 213 patients did not receive documentation of an intervention while 127 patients did, with the most common being food bags and social work referrals (Table 1). Table 2 shows that 89 referrals to social work were made. Both table 1 and 2 observe that providers mostly utilize food bags and social work referrals to alleviate concern for FI. Quantifying the amount of time till the next visit reveals that most providers did not recommend a follow-up appointment, followed by offering a one-year follow-up appointment.
Discussion
Quantifying provider concerns and referrals given helps evaluate what resources providers are utilizing to minimize FI and how aware GAP providers are about resources that are available. One limitation for interpreting this data includes that providers may have only recorded their concerns and interventions in only their powernote and not in the free text fields of the SEEK survey. Additionally, reluctance amongst caregivers to state their FI may contribute to the low rate of FI observed, 2.3%. Future studies should compare the objective SEEK screening results to the provider’s interpretations, analyze other risk factors screened by the SEEK survey, and parental reluctance to share FI.