60 Exploring clinician perspectives on the utility and impact of psychosocial assessment on the management of hospitalized paediatric patients
Authors: Chong Alyssa , Virk Punit , Doan Quynh 
Published: October 2024

Background

A substantial number of paediatric inpatient, medical admissions may involve underlying psychosocial challenges. However, patients’ in-hospital care will focus on patients’ acute medical needs, despite growing evidence that holistic care incorporating patients’ broader psychosocial needs could improve physical health outcomes and health-related quality of life. Psychosocial assessment tools may facilitate clinicians’ ability to identify and address underlying mental health needs. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether clinicians perceive these tools, and the clinical information they generate, as adding value to patient care planning.

Objectives

This study determines to explore the clinician-perceived views on the MyHEARTSMAP tool report and whether this report has impacted their patient care, and if so, how.

Design/Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey sub-study, within a larger randomized control trial at BC Children’s Hospital, sampling from nine inpatient specialties: general paediatrics, cardiology, nephrology, neurology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, orthopaedic surgery, urology, and general surgery. The survey was designed, validated, and administered using the Modified Dillman’s approach. Automated reminders were sent to participants if they did not respond to the survey after completing the consent form. . Eligible clinicians were asked to provide their perceptions towards the MyHEARTSMAP report through an online survey. Eligibility screening and consent retrieval were obtained prior to clinicians completing the survey. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of survey responses were conducted, summarizing proportions and counts of closed-ended responses and a content analysis of open-ended items.

Results

A total of 65 clinicians enrolled into our study (88% women, 85% nurses). Most clinicians (92%) found that patient-reported psychosocial assessment was beneficial for establishing patient-clinician relationships and providing information about the patient’s mental health that may not have been previously queried about. Of the clinicians who had read and used the MyHEARTSMAP screening report in their practice, a majority (84%) found it helpful for their patient care. Most clinicians felt that the MyHEARTSMAP screening report facilitated clinician-patient communication (87%) and patient involvement in the care process (90%). About half of the clinicians (52%) felt the screening report’s interface and design could be improved to allow for ease of use. Currently, the paper screening report is placed in the patients’ physical chart for clinicians to assess, but they would prefer it to be implemented onto the digital charting system used at BC Children’s Hospital.

Conclusion

Clinicians' perceptions towards the MyHEARTSMAP report showed acceptability amongst those who had previously encountered it. While clinicians believe psychosocial screening is beneficial, exploring options for better accessibility to the screening results is necessary to increase utilization.