Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Matt Frederiksen-England

Abstract

Health care transition planning could help decrease health care disparities among those who identify as an individual on the autism spectrum; however, less than a quarter of the adolescent population living with autism spectrum disorder receive transition planning. Decreasing health care disparities could lead to an increase in health care quality and longevity. The purpose of this study was to analyze if there was a relationship between (a) the number of physician visits, (b) if the physician treats only children, (c) if the physician talks about the child seeing physicians who treat adults, (d) if the physician worked with the guardian to create a plan that identifies specific health goals or needs, and if (a) the physician helped the child develop skills to manage their health and (b) if the physician worked with the child to understand health care changes for both children with and without special health care needs. Secondary data from 5,638 parental respondents of children aged 17 years old to the 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) were used to conduct this quantitative analysis employing chi square tests guided by the Donabedian structure/process/outcome model. The findings support the hypothesis that a statistically significant relationship does not exist between the dependent variables and covariates. Future research could incorporate physician response data or racial and socioeconomic variables to find further significance. The findings of the study can positively influence social change by allowing health care administrators to implement initiatives within their organizations to further the improvement of transitional planning for adolescents.

Download

Share

 
COinS