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

Authors :
McCall A
Strahley AE
Martin-Fernandez KW
Lewis KH
Pack A
Ospino-Sanchez B
Greene I
de la Vega G
Taxter AJ
Eagleton SG
Montez KG
Source :
Journal of clinical and translational science [J Clin Transl Sci] 2024 Feb 26; Vol. 8 (1), pp. e47. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Feb 26 (Print Publication: 2024).
Publication Year :
2024

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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />Conclusions: A novel EHR-based intervention has potential to facilitate healthcare referrals to WIC and improve communication/coordination between WIC and healthcare systems.<br />Competing Interests: None.<br /> (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2059-8661
Volume :
8
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of clinical and translational science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38510692
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2024.488