Engagement in GI Behavioral Health Is Associated with Reduced Portal Messages, Phone Calls, and ED Visits.
Dig Dis Sci
; 69(6): 1939-1947, 2024 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38622464
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Chronic digestive disorders are associated with increased costs for healthcare systems and often require provision of both urgent care and non-face-to-face (non-F2F) care, such as responding to patient messages. Numerous benefits of integrated gastroenterology (GI) behavioral health have been identified; however, it is unclear if integrated care impacts healthcare utilization, including urgent care and non-F2F contact. We sought to investigate the association between patient engagement with GI behavioral health and healthcare utilization.METHODS:
We performed a retrospective chart review study of adult patients who were referred for and completed at least one behavioral health appointment between January 1, 2019 and December 21, 2021 in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology department of a large academic medical center. Data on electronic medical record (EMR) messages, phone calls, and Emergency Department utilization were collected 6 months before and 9 months after patient engagement with GI behavioral health.RESULTS:
466 adult patients completed at least one behavioral health visit from 2019 to 2021. Overall, messages, phone calls, and ED visits all decreased significantly from the 6 months before behavioral health treatment to 6 months after (all P values < 0.001).CONCLUSION:
Engagement with integrated GI behavioral health is associated with reduced non-F2F care and emergency department utilization in patients with chronic digestive disorders. Increasing access to GI behavioral health may result in reduced provider workload and healthcare system costs.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência
/
Portais do Paciente
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Dig Dis Sci
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos