Multilevel Interventions and Dental Attendance in Pediatric Primary Care: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Untreated tooth decay is disproportionately present among low-income young children. While American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines require pediatric clinicians to implement oral health care, the effectiveness of these oral health interventions has been inconclusive. Objective: To test the effectiveness of multilevel interventions in increasing dental attendance and reducing untreated decay among young children attending well-child visits (WCVs). Design, Setting, and Participants: The Pediatric Providers Against Cavities in Children's Teeth study is a cluster randomized clinical trial that was conducted at 18 pediatric primary care practices in northeast Ohio. The trial data were collected between November 2017 and July 2022, with data analyses conducted from August 2022 to March 2023. Eligible participants included Medicaid-enrolled preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years attending WCVs at participating practices who were enrolled at baseline (WCV 1) and followed-up for 2 consecutive examinations (WCV 2 and WCV 3). Interventions: Clinicians in the intervention group received both the practice-level (electronic medical record changes to document oral health) and clinician-level (common-sense model of self-regulation theory-based oral health education and skills training) interventions. Control group clinicians received AAP-based standard oral health education alone. Main Outcomes and Measures: Dental attendance was determined through clinical dental examinations conducted by hygienists utilizing International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria and also from Medicaid claims data. Untreated decay was determined through clinical examinations. A generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach was used for both clinical examinations and Medicaid claims data. Results: Eighteen practices were randomized to either intervention or control. Participants included 63 clinicians (mean [SD] age, 47.0 [11.3] years; 48 female [76.2%] and 15 male [23.8%]; 28 in the intervention group [44.4%]; 35 in the control group [55.6%]) and 1023 parent-child dyads (mean [SD] child age, 56.1 [14.0] months; 555 male children [54.4%] and 466 female children [45.6%]; 517 in the intervention group [50.5%]; 506 in the control group [49.5%]). Dental attendance from clinical examinations was significantly higher in the intervention group (170 children [52.0%]) vs control group (150 children [43.1%]) with a difference of 8.9% (95% CI, 1.4% to 16.4%; P = .02). The GEE model using clinical examinations showed a significant increase in dental attendance in the intervention group vs control group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.69). From Medicaid claims, the control group had significantly higher dental attendance than the intervention group at 2 years (332 children [79.6%] vs 330 children [73.7%]; P = .04) but not at 3 years. A clinically but not statistically significant reduction in mean number of untreated decay was found in the intervention group compared with controls (B = -0.27; 95% CI, -0.56 to 0.02). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cluster randomized clinical trial, children in the intervention group had better dental outcomes as was evidenced by increased dental attendance and lower untreated decay. These findings suggest that intervention group clinicians comprehensively integrated oral health services into WCVs. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03385629.

A Qualitative Study of Breastfeeding Mothers' Perspectives Regarding Lactation Support Services.

Although breastfeeding is widely accepted as beneficial, only half of U.S. mothers are breastfeeding at 6 months. This study aimed to learn whether a quality improvement project to embed lactation support services into the newborn visit at a primary pediatric practice met families' needs. Mothers who were aged 18+ years, had an infant born in October 2021 with a well-child visit to the study practice (urban, 85% Medicaid, and 90% African American), and planned to breastfeed were invited to participate in a semi-structured telephone interview about their experience with breastfeeding and lactation support. We interviewed 18 mothers and, using a descriptive qualitative approach (thematic analysis), found that early support was helpful in addressing initial challenges such as latching pain but did not adequately anticipate later barriers to continued breastfeeding. This suggests lactation support offered by pediatric primary care practices should extend beyond the newborn period and be tailored to families' evolving needs.

Social Needs Screening and Intervention in Pediatric Primary Care: Impact on Families' Experience of Care.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Social determinants of health (SDoH) screening and intervention in pediatric primary care depends upon caregiver disclosure of adverse household or social conditions and thus may be influenced by perceived bias or stigma. This paper examines to what extent parents' experience of their child's medical home is associated with their perceptions of a practice-based social needs intervention. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study of data reported by 73 parents of children obtaining care in a medical home with an embedded SDoH navigation program. Using survey data collected in October 2021 and October 2022, we calculated descriptive statistics and non-parametric bivariate analyses of the association between engagement with the SDoH navigation program and parent-reported social needs, stress, and perception of care quality as measured by the Person-Centered Primary Care Measure (PCPCM). RESULTS: Initial ratings of care quality were high (mean baseline PCPCM score = 3.63) and remained high on second interview (mean change in PCPCM score = -0.04, 95%CI -0.16, 0.09, P = .58) despite significant reductions in parents' ratings of access to care over time. Parents reported substantial stress, unmet social needs, and unmet healthcare needs, with 41 families (56%) ever using the practice-based SDoH program, including 16 (22%) who were new users in 2022. There was no association observed between PCPCM score and parent stress, unmet social needs, or use of SDoH services. CONCLUSIONS: Parents' perceptions of care delivered in their child's medical home appears to be stable on repeat measurement, and independent of family context or interactions with social needs navigation services offered in the practice.

Adoption of New Oral Health Interventions in Primary Care: Qualitative Findings.

Introduction: This is the first study to use the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation theory for oral health interventions in pediatric practices. The objective of this qualitative study was to assess adoption and implementation of theory-based multilevel oral health interventions, by clinicians (pediatricians and nurse practitioners) participating in a cluster randomized clinical trial, to create an oral health toolkit for widespread dissemination into pediatric practices. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted at the conclusion of the cluster randomized clinical trial with 21 clinicians from 9 practices participating in the intervention arm. Clinicians in this arm received Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation theory-based education and resources to deliver oral health interventions to parents/caregivers and document in electronic medical record. Semistructured interview questions were based on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, assessing adoption and implementation. The interviews were coded using NVivo (QRS International) software. Main themes were identified using a thematic analysis approach. Results: Five themes identified from the interviews included strengths of theory-based oral health training for clinicians, oral health resources to improve quality of care, considerations for efficient future implementation, financial considerations, and parent benefits and challenges. Clinicians found that the theory-based training and resources increased knowledge and confidence when addressing oral health with parents and required only ≤2 minutes in their workflow with no financial consequences. Clinicians reported an increase in oral health awareness among parents but suggested an overall need for more pediatric dentists. Conclusions: The Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation theory-based education and resources were well received by clinicians and perceived to be beneficial without adverse impact on workflow or practice finances. An online toolkit is planned because these oral health interventions can be successfully implemented and delivered in medical settings.

A Pilot Breastfeeding-Supportive Texting Program for African American and Black Mothers.

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended through age 6 months, and 24.9% of all U.S. mothers, but only 19.8% of African American or Black (AA/B) mothers, achieved this goal (2020). Smartphone technology, specifically short message service (SMS or texting), may provide a strategy to reach and engage AA/B women who otherwise face barriers related to racism in accessing breastfeeding resources. Unfortunately, few mobile health applications are designed for AA/B women. Methods: We created a culturally sensitive breastfeeding promotion and support text message library that begins at 28 weeks prenatally and continues through 10 weeks postpartum. We tested feasibility and acceptability with a proof-of-concept (POC) trial that enrolled 20 AA/B women, and we tested content and perceived usefulness with a pilot study that enrolled 28 AA/B women. Results: In the POC trial, 95% of participants received all messages, demonstrating feasibility, and none requested fewer or to stop messages, demonstrating acceptability. In the pilot, >85% of participants responded positively regarding the number and helpfulness of the texts received, and whether the information was needed. Using a validated measure for online content for parents, >70% of POC and pilot study participants found that the information was very relevant or relevant, completely understandable, taught them something new, and "will help me improve the health or well-being of my child." Conclusion: A new breastfeeding-supportive text messaging program intended for AA/B mothers appears feasible, acceptable, informative, and relevant. This is the first breastfeeding text messaging application of which we are aware that is tailored for the AA/B population.

Bringing community oriented primary care into an academic training setting: A qualitative study.

Objectives: Identify patient-informed strategies through which an urban resident continuity clinic can implement the principles of community oriented primary care (COPC). Methods: As part of a larger sequential mixed methods study supporting implementation evaluation of a new urban academic medical center in Cleveland, Ohio, semi-structured telephone interviews using a descriptive phenomenological approach were conducted spring 2021 with patients to explore perspectives regarding community involvement by healthcare providers and what they want clinicians to know about their community. A constant comparative analysis of emerging themes was used to analyze the thematic contents of interviews. Results: Twenty-one participants completed interviews. Almost all thought clinicians' community involvement is important. Thematic guidance from participants highlighted that clinicians should be: (1) knowledgeable about the Black experience, (2) seen in the community outside the clinic, and (3) aware that "knowing my community is knowing me." Conclusions: Design with a target community in mind is a necessary but not sufficient step to implement COPC in practice. The visibility of clinicians in community settings is essential for COPC.

Profiles of Early Childhood Adversity in an Urban Pediatric Clinic: Implications for Pediatric Primary Care.

Pediatricians are well-positioned to screen for early childhood adversities, but effective responses to positive screens require an understanding of which adversities typically co-occur, and to what extent they are associated with other risk or protective factors. Among children seen at an urban academic pediatric practice, this study aimed to (1) examine the prevalence of different types of early adversity and protective experiences reported by primary caregivers, and (2) define latent classes of co-occurring adversities. Of 1434 children whose parents completed the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) at well-child visits during November 2019-January 2021, three classes of adverse experiences emerged, including those reporting low adversity (L; 73%), caregiver stress (CS; 17%), and both caregiver stress and depression (CSD; 10%). Among those who also completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q, n = 1373) and the Protective and Compensatory Experiences Scale (PACES, n = 1377), belonging to the L class was associated with lower ACE-Q and higher PACES scores. For parent-respondents only, ACE-Q scores were significantly greater for the CSD class compared to the CS and L classes. Pediatricians should attend to the needs of caregivers reporting both stress and depression, as these families may face especially high levels of adversity and low levels of protective factors.

Dental Caries in Medicaid-Insured Preschool Children With or Without Special Health Care Needs in Northeast Ohio.

Importance: Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) are recognized to be at increased risk of developing dental caries (decay). Evidence is mixed regarding the association of preventive oral health care delivered by pediatric primary care clinicians with caries experience among CSHCN. Objective: To investigate caries experience, including untreated decay, among Medicaid-enrolled preschoolers with or without special health care needs. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from the Pediatric Providers Against Cavities in Children's Teeth study, a cluster-randomized hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial conducted among 1022 Medicaid-enrolled preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years attending well-child visits at 18 participating community pediatric primary care practices in northeast Ohio. Baseline data were collected from November 1, 2017, to August 31, 2019, with statistical analyses conducted from April to August 2022. Exposures: Presence of special health care needs, as assessed by applying the Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm to International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes, was abstracted from electronic medical records. CSHCN were defined as having either noncomplex chronic disease (presence of only 1 nonprogressive chronic condition, or multiple nonprogressive chronic conditions in a single body system) or complex chronic disease (presence of any progressive chronic condition, malignant neoplasm, or significant chronic conditions involving multiple body systems). Main Outcomes and Measures: Untreated dental decay and caries experience as assessed through clinical dental examinations using International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria. Results: A total of 1022 children aged 3 to 6 years from 18 practices were enrolled in the study. The mean (SD) age of the study population was 4.3 (1.1) years, 554 (54.2%) were boys, and of 988 with data on race and ethnicity, 451 (45.6%) were Black. Of these, 301 of 1019 (29.5%) had a likely special health care need (225 with noncomplex chronic conditions and 76 with complex chronic conditions). The most frequent chronic conditions included asthma (n = 209) and mental or behavioral health disorders (n = 146), including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, and developmental delays. Overall, 296 children (29.0%) had untreated decay, and 378 (37.0%) had caries experience (decayed and filled teeth). Accounting for sociodemographic characteristics, CSHCN had 34% reduced odds of untreated decay (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.66 [95% CI, 0.48-0.92]) compared with those with without chronic disease. In addition, caries experience was lower among CSHCN (AOR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.60-1.04]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of Medicaid-enrolled children who attended well-child visits as preschoolers, untreated dental decay was lower among CSHCN compared with those without chronic conditions. This study suggests that CSHCN may have had better access to the various types of dental care facilitated in medical settings.

Screening Families in Primary Care for Social and Economic Needs: Patients' Urgency and Activation for Social Care Navigation.

INTRODUCTION: Social determinants of health (SDoH) screening and intervention in primary care aim to alleviate adverse influences on health, but its efficacy may be diluted when offered supports are not well matched to families' desire for such services. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to provide guidance to social care navigation teams regarding which families would be most likely to make use of services. METHODS: Analysis of registry data collected in April 1-September 30, 2021 from a social care navigation program embedded in a medical home was conducted. Multivariable regression models explored (1) whether family-reported urgency of needs, number of needs, and/or specific types of needs predicted completing program intake and (2) whether the degree of family activation regarding social needs predicted subsequent interactions with the navigation team. RESULTS: Of the 1,483 families reporting any social care needs (38% of all screens completed, mean of 2.5 needs per screen), 31% indicated that their needs were urgent. Accounting for program factors and the number and type of needs reported, families whose needs were urgent were more likely to complete intake (OR=1.34; 95% CI=1.01, 1.82; p=0.04) and remain engaged with the program over time (OR=2.25; 95% CI=1.62, 3.12; p<0.01). Those who were self-advocates were substantially less likely to desire follow-up or stay engaged (OR=0.40; 95% CI=0.17, 0.93; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Family-reported urgency of needs and activation for social care assistance predicted engagement with the navigation team. SDoH interventions should prioritize outreach to those families expressing an interest in help with any of their identified needs.

Facilitators and barriers to Children's Advocacy Center-based multidisciplinary teamwork.

BACKGROUND: Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) use a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to initiate, coordinate, and provide essential multisector services for children and families who experience child abuse. Despite rapid dissemination of the CAC model across the world, little is known about characteristics associated with CAC-based teamwork. OBJECTIVE: Given that teamwork characteristics may impact the outcomes of child and families who interact with CACs, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore experiences, facilitators, and barriers to CAC-based multidisciplinary teamwork. PARTICIPANTS, SETTING, & METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with members of a MDT at a Midwestern CAC. RESULTS: Findings suggest that MDT teamwork was fostered by clear communication, responsiveness, commitment, openness, and appropriate resources whereas MDT teamwork was hindered by role confusion, conflicting perspectives, poor communication, low staffing, complex politics, and structural barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics of CAC-based teamwork may vary from the teamwork of other types of child protection teams. Interventions that enhance CAC-based teamwork may optimize the function of CAC MDTs and improve outcomes for children and families who engage with CACs.

Establishing Trauma-Informed Primary Care: Qualitative Guidance from Patients and Staff in an Urban Healthcare Clinic.

Patients present to primary care clinics with a variety of experiences, including exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and other social determinants of health. The pervasive impact of early adversity on later healthcare outcomes has resulted in the development of trauma-informed care principles that can be applied to healthcare settings. The primary aim of this study is to improve understanding of patient and staff experiences within a trauma-informed urban healthcare setting to guide considerations and recommendations when implementing such a model. A phenomenologic approach was taken using an interpretivist paradigm to collect qualitative data by conducting patient and staff focus groups. The following themes were identified: the communal experience of significant trauma, lack of continuity of care and time for each appointment, the importance of a sense of community and standardization and normalization of asking about trauma, development of social support networks, and creating a safe and non-judgmental healthcare space. Based on findings, considerations for implementing a trauma-informed healthcare model are provided.

Examining child flourishing, family resilience, and adversity in the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health.

PURPOSE: Explore factors associated with flourishing and family resilience among children aged 6 months to 5 years old in the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of the 2016 NSCH was conducted using Kleinman and Norton's Regression Risk Analysis method to derive adjusted risk measures for logistic regression models to assess factors contributing to (1) child flourishing and (2) child flourishing stratified between resilient and non-resilient families. RESULTS: In multivariable models, resilient families less often reported a child with two or more lifetime ACE exposures (ARD -0.11, 95% CI -0.15, -0.08), more likely to live in a supportive neighborhood (ARD 0.08, 95% CI 0.05,0.11), and more likely to report emotional support in raising children (ARD 0.07, 95% CI 0.12, 0.40). Accounting for ACE exposures, within resilient families, child flourishing was more likely when the child lived in a supportive neighborhood (ARD 0.09, 95% CI 0.03, 0.15), received care in a patient centered medical home (ARD 0.09, 95% CI 0.02,0.15), and when parents reported having emotional support in raising children (ARD 0.10, 95% CI 0.05, 0.17) Within non-resilient families, child flourishing was more likely when parents had emotional support in raising children (ARD 0.15, 95% CI 0.04,0.27). CONCLUSION: Promoting emotional support for parents may bolster family resilience and help young children to flourish despite adversity. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Further research and innovative models of care are needed to optimize the role of pediatric primary care in promoting safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for children and families.

Examining the Relationship of Family Social Capital and Use of Pediatric Primary Health Care Services in the 2016-19 National Survey of Children's Health.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the relationship of family social capital (FSC) and pediatric primary health care services (PHCU) among young children aged 0-5 years in the United States. FSC involves the interrelated contexts of child health and family characteristics. Understanding how this impacts PHCU may reveal important considerations for supporting access and use of essential health care services. METHOD: Using data from the 2016-19 National Survey of Children's Health (weighted N = 21,496,634), we conducted descriptive statistics and logistic regression to ascertain the relationship between FSC and PHCU. RESULTS: Statistically significant contributions included FSC (odds ratio [OR] = 1.2; confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-1.40), high school (OR = 0.49; CI = 2.65-5.39), and some college (OR = 0.72; CI = 0.62-0.85) DISCUSSION: Findings support that FSC and parent academic achievement impact PHCU. Interventions that foster family connection and parent adult health literacy may enhance PHCU.

Impact of Social and Relational Adversity on Access to Services among US Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder 2016-2019.

To explore the impact of social and relational adversity on access to key health services among US children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), cross-sectional analyses of the 2016-2019 National Survey of Children's Health assessed use of key health services by children with ASD, accounting for differences in demographic characteristics, medical needs, and experience of social and relational adversities. sUS children with ASD were more than twice as likely as peers without ASD to report two or more social adversities and more than three times as likely to report two or more relational adversities. In multivariable models, relational adversities were significantly associated with greater odds of medication use for ASD (OR 1.50, 95%CI:1.02, 2.17). Social adversities were neither associated with receipt of behavioral therapies nor prescription of medication to treat ASD. Screening for various forms of adversity among youth with ASD is of great importance; even one adverse experience may be enough to influence care of a child with ASD, with differences in effect according to the nature of the particular adversity. Further research should evaluate the role that childhood adversity plays in physical and mental health outcomes in ASD.

From Arksey and O'Malley and Beyond: Customizations to enhance a team-based, mixed approach to scoping review methodology.

This article presents a method of conducting a scoping review that synthesizes recommendations from previous literature while contributing additional customizations to enhance a team-based, mixed method approach. A form of knowledge synthesis, scoping reviews aim to describe the breadth of an existent knowledge base and inform future research, practice, and policy. Scoping review methodology has continued to evolve since the inception of the Arksey and O'Malley Framework in 2005. After examining recommendations from the body of literature on scoping review methodology and scoping reviews about scoping reviews, we found that teamwork and mixed method approaches were rarely addressed. Following the Arksey and O'Malley Framework, we discuss current recommendations within the literature, rationale for our customizations to enhance the method, and present an application of these customizations as illustrated in our companion article, "Outcomes and outputs affiliated with children's advocacy centers in the United States: A scoping review."In sum, our enhancements to the Arksey and O'Malley Framework:•Explicitly integrate qualitative and quantitative assessment of the literature following best practices in mixed methods research, and,•Integrate a team-based approach throughout all stages of the scoping review process.

Outcomes and outputs affiliated with Children's Advocacy Centers in the United States: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) model is the predominant multidisciplinary model that responds to child sexual abuse (CSA) in the United States (US). While the CAC model has made important contributions in case coordination and referrals for specialty services, little is known about child- or family-oriented outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Explore the trends and gaps involving outcome and output measures affiliated with CACs in the US. PARTICIPANTS & SETTING: A scoping review of the literature was conducted on English language articles published between 1985-2019 that involved CACs and children less than 18 years of age. METHODS: An electronic database search using the terms "Children's Advocacy Center(s)," "Child Advocacy Center(s)," and "CAC(s)" identified titles and abstracts. Data from articles selected for full text review were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team using a mixed methods approach. RESULTS: Measures of CAC impact frequently focus on service and programmatic outputs with person-centered outcomes left often reported. The most prevalent output measures related to case prosecution and forensic interviews. Person-centered outcomes most commonly emphasized child mental health and caregiver satisfaction. The majority of articles were limited by weak or unspecified study designs. CONCLUSION: The current literature on CACs suggests that while they are successful in coordinating services and facilitating referrals, little is known about how engagement with CACs impacts short- and long-term outcomes for children and families. Further research beyond cross sectional or quasi-experimental designs is necessary to better understand how variability in CAC structure, function, and resources can be optimized to meet the needs of the diverse communities that they serve. This is especially salient given the national dissemination of the CAC model. Without such additional studies, knowledge will remain limited regarding the enduring impacts of CACs on the lives of those impacted by CSA.

Performance of the Person Centered Primary Care Measure in Pediatric Continuity Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: Improvement efforts in pediatric primary care would benefit from measures that capture families' holistic experience of the practice. We sought to assess the reliability and validity of the new Person-Centered Primary Care Measure (PCPCM) in a pediatric resident continuity clinic serving low-income families. METHODS: We incorporated the 11-item PCPCM, stems adapted to reflect a parent responding about their child's visit, into a telephone survey of 194 parents presenting for care in October 2019 at a pediatric resident continuity clinic in Cleveland Ohio (64% response rate). We evaluated PCPCM items using factor analysis and Rasch modeling, and assessed associations of the PCPCM with parents' demographics and perceptions of specific elements of their child's care. RESULTS: In this sample of low-income families, the PCPCM had good reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.85). All items loaded onto a single factor in principal axes factor analysis. Of the 11 aspects of primary care represented in the scale, "shared experience" was most difficult for parents to endorse in Rasch modeling. All 11 items contributed significantly to the total scale score with corrected item-total correlations >0.4. The PCPCM score was independent of socio demographics and was associated with parent's report that their child's clinician spends enough time with them. CONCLUSIONS: The PCPCM performs well in a pediatric continuity clinic setting, warranting consideration for its use as a parsimonious parent-reported measure of what patients and clinicians say matters most in pediatric primary care.

Medicaid's EPSDT Benefit: An Opportunity to Improve Pediatric Screening for Social Determinants of Health.

The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit is a key component of Medicaid policy intended to define an essential set of services provided to patients younger than age 21. Given increasing attention to social determinants of health in pediatric health care, this qualitative review examines the extent to which EPSDT might be used to implement structured screening to identify environmental and social factors affecting children's health. Themes derived from semistructured interviews conducted in 2017 were triangulated with a review of the recent literature to describe how states currently consider the EPSDT benefit with respect to social determinants of health screening. Our findings suggest that, with sufficient stakeholder advocacy given the evidence supporting social determinants of health screening as "medically necessary," EPSDT benefits could be considered as a funding source to incentivize the incorporation of social determinants of health screening into the basic package of well-child care.

A Learning Loop Model of Collaborative Decision-Making in Chronic Illness.

Shared decision-making is a core attribute of quality health care that has proved challenging to implement and assess in pediatric practice. Current models of shared decision-making are limited, including their capacity to incorporate multiple stakeholders; to integrate downstream effects of subacute or minor decisions; and to account for the context(s) in which such decisions are being made and enacted. Based on a review of literature from organizational psychology, cognitive sciences, business, and medicine, we propose an iterative decision-making model of care planning and identify targets at several levels of influence warranting measurement in future studies. Our learning loop model posits the relationship between pediatric patients, their parents, and their clinicians as central to the collaborative decision-making process in the setting of chronic illness. The model incorporates the evolution of both context and developmental capacity over time. It suggests that "meta-learning" from the experience of and outcomes from iterative decision is a key factor that may influence relationships and thus continued engagement in collaboration by patients, their parents, and their clinicians. We consider the model in light of the needs of children with special health care needs, for whom understanding the ongoing iterative effects of decision making and clinician-parent-child dynamics are likely to be particularly important in influencing outcomes.