Impact of Co-management at the Primary-Subspecialty Care Interface on Follow-up and Referral Patterns for Patients With Concussion
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Feyissa, Eminet Abebe; Cornell, Erin; Chandhok, Laura; Wang, David; Ionita, Cristian; Schwab, Jennifer; Kostyun, Regina; Wilion, Felicia; Rubin, Karen
- Source
- Clinical Pediatrics. Sep 01, 2015 54(10):969-975
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0009-9228
BACKGROUND:: Co-management is a collaborative care model that consists of structured tools to define and document care delivered by 2 or more providers. We evaluated the impact of implementing co-management at the interface between pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) and subspecialists. METHODS:: Participating PCPs (n = 9) were trained on management of concussion using the co-management tools. Co-managed patients with concussion were prospectively enrolled (n = 148) and compared to a retrospective audit of non-co-managed patients (n = 50). RESULTS:: PCPs using co-management demonstrated adherence to the tools. PCPs were significantly more likely to provide follow-up care to patients when using the co-management tools. All participating PCPs reported that co-management enhanced their expertise in caring for patients with concussion. CONCLUSIONS:: Co-management can enhance PCPsʼ capacity to independently manage the care of patients with concussion. Co-management led to an observed change in practice that merits further exploration in terms of cost, quality, and clinical outcomes.