Using Telehealth to Deliver Mental Health Services in Primary Care Settings for Children in Underserved Areas

Study Summary

In partnership with a multi-site, Los Angeles-area community clinic consortium, North East Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC), the investigators will use telehealth to integrate pediatric developmental, behavioral and mental health (DB/MH) services into primary care for low-income, publicly insured children. During Project Year 1, the investigators used qualitative methods to conduct and analyze interviews with parents, clinicians, and staff at NEVHC to assess their perspectives on the delivery of child DB/MH services and on a potential telehealth-based patient visit, coordination, and clinician education system for the provision of DB/MH specialty care in primary care settings to children ages 5-12. This data was used in a stakeholder-engaged process to customize a telehealth-based delivery system for pediatric DB/MH services that can be integrated into primary care settings. During Project Years 2-3, the investigators will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the customized telehealth-based patient visit, coordination, and clinician education system to the usual in-person, community- based referral system at NEVHC. This study will examine whether a telehealth developmental, behavioral and mental health delivery model can be an effective, efficient, and family-centered way to provide integrated DB/MH services to children in low-income communities.

Primary Outcome

Referral process from baseline to 6 month post-enrollment. Parent reported time from initial referral to first specialty visit as reported by parents on 6 month post-enrollment survey.

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL Telehealth Intervention