OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate a novel model of care to improve access to diagnostic evaluations for autism spectrum disorder and/or developmental delays for school-age children. METHODS An "initial assessment" (IA) model for children aged 7 to 9 years was implemented at a large regional pediatric hospital. Referral patterns and the number of patients evaluated with the IA model were obtained through the electronic health record (EHR). Referral patterns from the EHR were checked against clinician surveys. RESULTS Total IA volume had a strong negative association with school-age WL volume ( r (22) = -0.92, p < 0.001), indicating that as IA volume increased, the WL volume declined. Evaluation of referral patterns after IAs revealed that approximately 1 in 3 children seen for IA did not require further evaluation and could be immediately removed from the WL. CONCLUSION Results indicate that implementation of a novel IA model was strongly associated with a decrease in WL volume for neurodevelopmental evaluations of school-age children. These findings support a "right-fit" approach to optimize clinical resources and improve access to neurodevelopmental evaluations.

中文翻译：

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通过初始评估模型改善发育障碍诊断评估的可及性。

目的 本研究旨在评估一种新型护理模式，以改善学龄儿童对自闭症谱系障碍和/或发育迟缓的诊断评估。方法 在一家大型地区儿科医院实施针对 7 至 9 岁儿童的“初步评估”（IA）模型。通过电子健康记录 (EHR) 获得转诊模式和使用 IA 模型评估的患者数量。电子病历的转诊模式与临床医生调查进行了检查。结果 总 IA 体积与学龄 WL 体积呈强烈负相关（ r (22) = -0.92，p < 0.001），表明随着 IA 体积增加，WL 体积下降。对 IAs 后转诊模式的评估显示，大约三分之一的接受 IA 治疗的儿童不需要进一步评估，可以立即从 WL 中删除。结论 结果表明，新型 IA 模型的实施与学龄儿童神经发育评估中 WL 体积的减少密切相关。这些发现支持“合适”的方法来优化临床资源并改善神经发育评估的机会。