TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving access to primary care for Aboriginal babies in Western Australia
T2 - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
AU - Mcaullay, Dan
AU - Mcauley, Kimberley
AU - Marriott, R.
AU - Pearson, G.
AU - Jacoby, Peter
AU - Ferguson, C.
AU - Geelhoed, Elizabeth
AU - Coffin, J.
AU - Green, Charmaine
AU - Sibosado, Selina
AU - Henry, Barbara R.
AU - Doherty, Dorota
AU - Edmond, Karen
PY - 2016/2/12
Y1 - 2016/2/12
N2 - © 2016 McAullay et al. Background: Despite a decade of substantial investments in programs to improve access to primary care for Aboriginal mothers and infants, more than 50 % of Western Australian Aboriginal babies are still not receiving primary and preventative care in the early months of life. Western Australian hospitals now input birth data into the Western Australian electronic clinical management system within 48 hours of birth. However, difficulties have arisen in ensuring that the appropriate primary care providers receive birth notification and clinical information by the time babies are discharged from the hospital. No consistent process exists to ensure that choices about primary care are discussed with Aboriginal families. Methods/Design: We will undertake a population-based, stepped wedge, cluster randomized controlled trial of an enhanced model of early infant primary care. The intervention is targeted support and care coordination for Aboriginal families with new babies starting as soon as possible during the antenatal period or after birth. Dedicated health professionals and research staff will consult with families about the families' healthcare needs, provide information about healthcare in the first 3 months of life, offer assistance with birth and Medicare forms, consult with families about their choice for primary care provider, offer to notify the chosen primary care provider about the baby's health needs, and offer assistance with healthcare coordination at the time of discharge from the hospital. We will evaluate this model of care using a rigorous stepped wedge approach. Our primary outcome measure is a reduced hospitalization rate in infants younger than 3 months of age. Secondary outcome measures include completed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health screening assessments, immunization coverage, and satisfaction of the families about early infant primary care. We will also assess the cost effectiveness of the model of care. Discussion: This study will be conducted over a
AB - © 2016 McAullay et al. Background: Despite a decade of substantial investments in programs to improve access to primary care for Aboriginal mothers and infants, more than 50 % of Western Australian Aboriginal babies are still not receiving primary and preventative care in the early months of life. Western Australian hospitals now input birth data into the Western Australian electronic clinical management system within 48 hours of birth. However, difficulties have arisen in ensuring that the appropriate primary care providers receive birth notification and clinical information by the time babies are discharged from the hospital. No consistent process exists to ensure that choices about primary care are discussed with Aboriginal families. Methods/Design: We will undertake a population-based, stepped wedge, cluster randomized controlled trial of an enhanced model of early infant primary care. The intervention is targeted support and care coordination for Aboriginal families with new babies starting as soon as possible during the antenatal period or after birth. Dedicated health professionals and research staff will consult with families about the families' healthcare needs, provide information about healthcare in the first 3 months of life, offer assistance with birth and Medicare forms, consult with families about their choice for primary care provider, offer to notify the chosen primary care provider about the baby's health needs, and offer assistance with healthcare coordination at the time of discharge from the hospital. We will evaluate this model of care using a rigorous stepped wedge approach. Our primary outcome measure is a reduced hospitalization rate in infants younger than 3 months of age. Secondary outcome measures include completed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health screening assessments, immunization coverage, and satisfaction of the families about early infant primary care. We will also assess the cost effectiveness of the model of care. Discussion: This study will be conducted over a
U2 - 10.1186/s13063-016-1206-7
DO - 10.1186/s13063-016-1206-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 26869181
SN - 1745-6215
VL - 17
SP - 1
EP - 8
JO - Trials
JF - Trials
IS - 1
M1 - 82
ER -