 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Marian Ryan, RRT, MPH, Albert Lee, PhD, and Richard Helmer, MD. Molina Healthcare of California, One Golden Shore Drive, Long Beach, CA 90740, 562-435-3666 (7004), marianr@molinahealthcare.com
Molina Healthcare of California took on an innovative quality improvement research project that targeted the Medicaid parent. The study sought to answer the following question. Could a demand management strategy be effective with Medicaid families in increasing parent self-efficacy in caring for non-emergent health problems in children under six years of age, and decrease the inappropriate utilization of ER services? The key intervention was the distribution of a low literacy, illustrated book entitled, What To Do When Your Child Is Sick? Over 20,000 households have participated at this point in the study. First year study results demonstrated an increase in parent self-efficacy in caring for fever, rash, and nausea/vomiting in their children. Additionally, a claims data analysis showed a dramatic 6.7% decrease in ER visits. This may have enormous potential within a population known to increase the burden of a very impacted delivery system, the Emergency Rooms throughout the nation.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.