The relationship between emergency medical services use and social service needs in a pediatric emergency department population.
COVID-19
Child maltreatment
EMS
Emergency Medical Services
Social determinants of health
Journal
Child abuse & neglect
ISSN: 1873-7757
Titre abrégé: Child Abuse Negl
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7801702
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
03 2022
03 2022
Historique:
received:
01
07
2021
revised:
28
12
2021
accepted:
02
01
2022
pubmed:
15
1
2022
medline:
10
2
2022
entrez:
14
1
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) use for children is correlated with areas of resource deprivation as well as child maltreatment. Households using EMS may have more social needs and be willing to accept services. To compare social service needs and willingness to accept services in families arriving to a pediatric emergency department (ED) via EMS vs non-EMS, before and during COVID-19. Caregivers of children 0-5 years old in a quaternary pediatric ED, with a 1:1 ratio of EMS vs non-EMS arrivals. Participants completed a survey of demographics, social service needs, and willingness to accept services, before and during COVID-19. Of 220 participants, 84 were enrolled before COVID-19. The EMS group reported less full-time employment (34.6% vs 51.8%, p < 0.05) and more social service needs (2.47 vs 1.76 needs, p < 0.05). Mean score for willingness to accept a service provider in the home was 3.62 for EMS and 3.19 for non-EMS (p = 0.09). Mean score for accepting a phone referral was 3.84 for EMS and 3.40 for non-EMS (p = 0.07). COVID-19 impacted needs for both groups (20.9% EMS vs 30.3% non-EMS). For all subjects presenting to the ED, COVID-19 was associated with decreased food insecurity (28.6% vs 15.4%) and children with a chronic medical condition (31.0% vs 12.5%). The EMS group had more social service needs. There was no difference in social services acceptance. COVID-19 affected both groups' needs. Future interventions may use EMS systems to mitigate social service needs which may be risk factors for child abuse.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) use for children is correlated with areas of resource deprivation as well as child maltreatment. Households using EMS may have more social needs and be willing to accept services.
OBJECTIVE
To compare social service needs and willingness to accept services in families arriving to a pediatric emergency department (ED) via EMS vs non-EMS, before and during COVID-19.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
Caregivers of children 0-5 years old in a quaternary pediatric ED, with a 1:1 ratio of EMS vs non-EMS arrivals.
METHODS
Participants completed a survey of demographics, social service needs, and willingness to accept services, before and during COVID-19.
RESULTS
Of 220 participants, 84 were enrolled before COVID-19. The EMS group reported less full-time employment (34.6% vs 51.8%, p < 0.05) and more social service needs (2.47 vs 1.76 needs, p < 0.05). Mean score for willingness to accept a service provider in the home was 3.62 for EMS and 3.19 for non-EMS (p = 0.09). Mean score for accepting a phone referral was 3.84 for EMS and 3.40 for non-EMS (p = 0.07). COVID-19 impacted needs for both groups (20.9% EMS vs 30.3% non-EMS). For all subjects presenting to the ED, COVID-19 was associated with decreased food insecurity (28.6% vs 15.4%) and children with a chronic medical condition (31.0% vs 12.5%).
CONCLUSIONS
The EMS group had more social service needs. There was no difference in social services acceptance. COVID-19 affected both groups' needs. Future interventions may use EMS systems to mitigate social service needs which may be risk factors for child abuse.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35030391
pii: S0145-2134(22)00001-1
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105482
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
105482Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.