Engaging parents in automated phone interviews prior to routine primary care visits could improve the quality of the visits, according to a study in Pediatrics.
In the study, parents of patients between 4 months and 11 years old called the automated, interactive voice response system, the Personal Health Partner, and answered questions regarding the upcoming visit. Their responses were transferred into the electronic health record, and clinicians used their responses to tailor counseling and set goals for the upcoming visit.
The study found parents in the intervention group were more likely to discuss important issues with the primary care provider and reported being better prepared for their visit. For example, 42.6 percent of parents in the intervention group discussed depression with the PCP compared to 25.4 percent in the control group. Similarly, 85.7 percent of parents in the intervention group discussed prescription medication use with the PCP, compared to 72.6 percent of parents in the control group.
Researchers suggest systems like PHP could improve clinical screening, counseling and medication management, according to the report.
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