Study of the Effectiveness of a Computer Decision Support System to Improve Physicians' Screening for Autism

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators hypothesize that children seen in a clinic that uses a compute based system known as CHICA, which reminds pediatricians to screen at defined time point for autism, will be screened more consistently for autism and receive more timely diagnostic a treatment services.

Detailed Description
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To be eligible for this trial, participants must receive their care at one of four primary care clinics in Indianapolis where the CHICA system is used.

Official Title
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Computer Assisted Autism Care (CAAC)

Conditions
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Healthy Children Undergoing Routine Care, Children With Autism

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Computer based care reminders


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Previously healthy children receiving routine care in one of four clinics in Indianapolis who participate in this study. Exclusion Criteria: Previously known autism spectrum disorders or other causes of developmental delay

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 17 Months
Maximum Age: 4 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Computer based reminders to MD<br>Children in this arm attend a clinic that is randomly assigned to receive physician alerts to screen appropriate children for autism. | Other: Computer based care reminders<br>* Physicians in the intervention clinic will receive computer generated reminders to screen for autism among children of appropriate age visiting the clinic.<br>|
| No Intervention: Usual care arm<br>Children in this are receive usual care from a clinic randomly chosen to serve as a control. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Structure autism screening instrument administered | Physicians are reminded by the computer system to screen children under 3 years of age for autism with a structured screening instrument. Chart abstraction is used to document whether or not the screening occurred. | Up to 4 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Are appropriate diagnostic studies conducted among children who screen positive for autism. | Among children who a suspected of having autism, chart abstraction and interviews are done to determine if the child received appropriate diagnostic and studies. | Up to 4 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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well child care, autism, screening, computer, reminders