WIC staff and healthcare professional perceptions of an EHR intervention to facilitate referrals to and improve communication and coordination with WIC: A qualitative study-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

WIC staff and healthcare professional perceptions of an EHR intervention to facilitate referrals to and improve communication and coordination with WIC: A qualitative study

Published:2024 Issue:1 Volume:8 Page:
ISSN:2059-8661
Container-title:Journal of Clinical and Translational Science
language:en
Short-container-title:J. Clin. Trans. Sci.

Author:

McCall Abigail,Strahley Ashley E.,Martin-Fernandez Katy W.,Lewis Kristina H.,Pack Angelina,Ospino-Sanchez Beatriz,Greene Ivy,de la Vega Gabriela,Taxter Alysha J.,Eagleton Sally G.,Montez Kimberly G.^ORCID

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has numerous benefits, yet many eligible children remain unenrolled. This qualitative study sought to explore perceptions of a novel electronic health record (EHR) intervention to facilitate referrals to WIC and improve communication/coordination between WIC staff and healthcare professionals. Methods: WIC staff in three counties were provided EHR access and recruited to participate. An automated, EHR-embedded WIC participation screening and referral tool was implemented within 8 healthcare clinics; healthcare professionals within these clinics were eligible to participate. The interview guide was developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to elicit perceptions of this novel EHR-based intervention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight WIC staff, seven pediatricians, four medical assistants, and one registered nurse. Most participants self-identified as female (95%) and White (55%). We identified four primary themes: (1) healthcare professionals had a positive view of WIC but communication and coordination between WIC and healthcare professionals was limited prior to WIC having EHR access; (2) healthcare professionals favored WIC screening using the EHR but workflow challenges existed; (3) EHR connections between WIC and the healthcare system can streamline referrals to and enrollment in WIC; and (4) WIC staff and healthcare professionals recommended that WIC have EHR access. Conclusions: A novel EHR-based intervention has potential to facilitate healthcare referrals to WIC and improve communication/coordination between WIC and healthcare systems.

Publisher

Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Reference37 articles.

1. 7. United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. National and State Level Estimates of WIC Eligibility and Program Reach in 2020. United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/eligibility-and-program-reach-estimates-2020. Accessed June 10, 2023.

2. Advocacy for improving nutrition in the First 1000 Days to support childhood development and adult health;Schwarzenberg;Pediatrics,2018

3. 33. Pratt E, Hahn H. What Happens When People Face Unfair Treatment or Judgment When Applying for Public Assistance or Social Services? 2021. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/104566/what-happens-when-people-face-unfair-treatment-or-judgment-when-applying-for-public-assistance-or-social-services_0.pdf. Accessed January 16, 2024.

4. 12. Jacobs K, Adeniran O. WIC During COVID-19: Participation and Benefit Redemption Since the Onset of the Pandemic. Food Research & Action Center, https://frac.org/research/resource-library/wic-during-covid-19-2022. Accessed January 3, 2023.

5. Integrating and coordinating care between the women, infants, and children program and pediatricians to improve patient-centered preventive care for healthy growth;Bailey-Davis;Transl Behav Med,2018