Recorded presentation

Betty W Fomby, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Southern University and A&M College, Graduate Division, Baton Rouge, LA 70815, 225-771-2663, bfomby@aol.com

ABSTRACT

A two-year pilot research project was conducted to test three interventions designed to reduce the costs associated with caring for spinal cord injured (SCI) youth experiencing preventable health problems. The sample included an experimental group of 17 African American youth living in Louisiana and a control group of seven African American youth living in Maryland. Four interventions were used in the study. Data were collected on youth in the experimental group at 12 months and 18 months to 2 years. For the controls, data were collected only upon initial contact. The pre- and post-test instruments were the Self-Efficacy Scale and a Stages of Change Scale. Demographic data was collected using a 30-item instrument. A major finding of the project was that health care providers do not provide a continuum of care or preventative care for SCI youth when benefits are exhausted. Additional findings included: 1) no data base or tracking system existed to assist with identifying subjects or to keep them connected to the health care system, 2) SCI youth use emergency episodic acute services with no attention given to prevention of complications and illness. The cost savings achieved indicated the effectiveness of the interventions. Subjects in the treatment group had 188 hospitalizations one year prior to entering the project. That number was reduced to 13 hospitalizations during the project. The number of visits to the emergency room was reduced from 93 before the project to four during the project. The estimated financial savings was $ $746,883.82

Learning Objectives:

• Part of a Panel Discussion sponsored by the National HBCU Research Network for Health Services and Health Disparities

Keywords: Health Disparities, Cost Issues

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.

Recorded presentation