Outcome Evaluation of a Pediatric Health Care Model

摘要

The objective of the study was to test a model of pediatric health care delivery,the Pediatric Resource Center (PRC), designed to reach low-income, high-risk children. The PRC model provides comprehensive care in a team setting, maintaining continuity and linkages to a network of health and social services. The two hypotheses of the study were that: (1) the health of high-risk, poor children who are enrolled in a comprehensive pediatric care program will improve over time as compared to their health at entry into the program; and (2) the children enrolled in the model program will have better health outcomes than comparable children who have not been enrolled in such a program. Results revealed several outcome categories that were most affected by the use of PRCs: physical health, preventive health behaviors, unmet needs for care, health knowledge and practices, and functional health.