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342 Acceptability of a Mobile K-12 School-Based Clinic for pediatric diabetes and obesity care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2025

Melanie Bryan
Affiliation:
Washington University in St. Louis
Bockstruck Pamela Stone
Affiliation:
Washington University in St. Louis
Lynnell Patton
Affiliation:
Washington University in St. Louis
Brandy Markley
Affiliation:
Washington University in St. Louis
Melissa Sicard
Affiliation:
Washington University in St. Louis
Ana Maria Arbelaez
Affiliation:
Washington University in St. Louis
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Abstract

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Objectives/Goals: To determine the acceptability of a mobile/school-based diabetes and prevention clinic to overcome transportation barriers and improve attendance at endocrinology appointments for youth with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, MODY diabetes, and obesity living in socially vulnerable communities Methods/Study Population: This study utilized a 3-phase implementation process focused on feasibility, demand, and acceptability. Phase 1: identified high-need areas using patient volume and disease control metrics. Collaborated with school districts to define needs, enrolled them through a memorandum of understanding, and subsequently recruited and consented existing patients attending these schools. Phase 2 piloted the program to refine logistics and workflows. Semi-structured interviews and surveys were conducted with caregivers to assess program acceptability and satisfaction. Phase 3 is ongoing and will track clinical outcomes including glycemic control, appointment attendance, hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and self-management metrics. Results/Anticipated Results: Demand for the program was high with 91% (10/11) of approached districts agreeing to participate. District enrollment was staggered, starting with 1 district in August 2023, expanding to 5 in September, 7 in October, and reaching 8 districts by May 2024. From August 2023 to July 2024, the school-based mobile clinic conducted 355 individual clinical encounters addressing diabetes and obesity. The encounters included 180 for type 1 diabetes, 69 for type 2 diabetes, 8 for MODY diabetes, and 98 for obesity. Interviews and surveys with 36 caregivers are ongoing to evaluate program satisfaction. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The data suggest that this innovative healthcare delivery model is feasible. District-level enrollment demonstrates a demand for the program. Results from the interviews and surveys will further characterize the program’s acceptability among caregivers and lay the groundwork for future efficacy testing.

Type
Health Equity and Community Engagement
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. The Association for Clinical and Translational Science