Youth Clinic – Philly Style: A Comprehensive Youth Clinic Integrating Primary Health Care with Reproductive and Behavioral Health Care

Problem Statement: Adolescence is a period of physiological and psycho-social changes that could render them vulnerable to high-risk behavior. They underutilize the health care system due to myriad issues, including poor access, resulting in poor health outcomes. They require thorough physical and psycho-social evaluation to assess their needs, and, if possible, provide all care at one site.

Methods: “Keeping Youths Healthy: Philly Style” is a comprehensive Youth Clinic integrating dental, reproductive and behavioral health care with primary care, at one site, as one-stop-shop model at 2 of 8 Philadelphia's Public Health Care Centers. Pediatricians and Youth Clinic Coordinator (YCC) assess needs of youths presenting for physical check-ups. YCC connects youths identified with dental, reproductive or behavioral health needs with respective services, and follows up to ensure access to all referred services.

Results: Success of Youth Clinic was measured by clinic utilization and satisfaction. 500 youths enrolled in year-1 (50% more than expected). Satisfaction was assessed by anonymous surveys. 116 youths completed surveys: 85% reported satisfaction with clinic; 95% would recommend Youth Clinic to friends; 86% found talking to Youth Clinic Coordinator helpful. Regarding integration of other “needs” identified, 85% of referrals resulted in successful connection (199 referrals; 169 connected). These results demonstrate success of Youth Clinic model.

Project Impact: Increased number of youths under medical care with access to multiple services offered on one site, whose problems are successfully resolved; decrease STDs and unintended pregnancies in service population; decrease morbidity and mortality associated with delay in access to care.