CBHNP offers a preventive health program designed to assist parents to educate parents on identifying age-appropriate behaviors and how they can assist the Member in learning and developing. The information provided also raises awareness on the diagnosis of ADHD and symptoms associated with this disorder. The information is supplied in a newsletter format and includes a screening tool for ADHD. Parents are encouraged to seek an evaluation if behaviors warrant concern. This information is sent to parents of all Capital Area HealthChoices Members turning age six.

This educational program compliments the care given by providers.  Together with provider support, CBHNP can help parents recognize the signs and symptoms of ADHD early.  The overall goal of the program is to help parents identify if their child is at high risk for ADHD and if at risk, secure a professional diagnostic evaluation.  An evaluation early in the course of illness, coupled with appropriate treatment, will improve the treatment outcomes for these children. 

CBHNP regularly measures how well the prevention programs are working through a Member survey. For the ADHD Program, five items are measured on a “1” (worst) to “4” (best) scale. In 2010, 4,502 Members were outreached with 4,343 tools delivered. In 2010, 81 surveys were completed by the family and returned which is a typical return response. In the most recent quarter, 1247 Members were identified in the 4th quarter to receive the educational information and 42 were undeliverable.  Fifteen surveys or 1.24% were returned which is a slightly lower response rate in comparison to previous quarters. Most responders find the educational tools as helpful. Positive ratings are considered a “3” or a “4” for the ratings below.

Following are the most current results (4th Quarter 2010) of the responders to the survey:

Basic Skills and Abilities (Item 1) – how helpful is the program in describing the basic skills and abilities that children need in order to do well at home and in school.
Average Response = 3.33, with 93.3% positive ratings.

Problem Recognition (Item 2) – how informative the materials were in describing how to recognize problems their child may experience.
Average Response = 3.53, with 93.3% positive ratings.

ADHD Information (Item 3) – how helpful the materials were in providing them with a basic understanding of ADHD and its symptoms.
Average Response = 3.53, with 93.3% positive ratings.

ADHD Identification (Item 4) – how helpful the screening tool was.
Average Response = 3.33, with 86.7% positive ratings.

Directing Further Action (Item 5) – how much the information helped them understand what they could do about difficulties their child may experience. 
Average Response = 3.27, with 86.7% positive ratings.

 

CBHNP offers a preventive health program for Members between the ages of 18 and 64 who have recently been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and are being treated with psychotherapy and/or antidepressant medication. This program is designed to improve clinical outcomes for these individuals by educating them about depression, its symptoms, available treatments, the course of recovery, and by helping them understand critical aspects of their own role in the treatment process. A series of three education newsletters are sent to all Members with new diagnoses of major depression.

Together with provider support, CBHNP can help its Members, receiving treatment for MDD, become informed consumers of health care and actively involved in their own treatment. It is our hope that the educational materials will help Members understand the importance of communicating with their providers and increase treatment compliance. Treatment compliance and communication about treatment issues are critical to helping individuals overcome their depression in a timely and effective manner.

Quarterly, CBHNP measures how well the prevention programs are working. The most recent reports offered results of the total number of modules sent to Members identified with Depression for the first time, total number of those reached, the number of Members who opted out of the program and total number of Members who returned the survey. The yearly results for 2010 and comparison to the previous years since the program started are as follows:

Mailing Results	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Total # reached	1697	1326	1474	1700	1589
Total # sent	1990	1538	1699	1785	1829
Total # opted out	14	9	5	16	8
Total # of surveys returned	77	53	75	69	67
Percent of returned surveys	4.5%	4.0%	5.1%	4.8%	4.2%

Question from Survey	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Responders shared the information with family and friends.	52%	38%	47%	43%	38%
Responders found the information helpful overall.	78%	83%	83%	86%	88%
Responders increased their knowledge about antidepressant medication	79%	75%	76%	78%	70%
Responders increased their knowledge about the treatment of depression.	75%	72%	79%	91%	88%
Responders increased their knowledge of coping skills.	77%	75%	77%	80%	82%
Responder reported the newsletter helped them discuses their side effects with their physician.	60%	64%	76%	83%	79%
Responder reported the newsletter helped them communicate better with family and friends about their depression.	X	X	X	X	73%

In summary, the 2010 results survey indicate that the majority of Members who returned the survey, found the information was helpful and it expanded their knowledge about depression, medications and treatment course. This year an additional measure was added to measure improved communication skills with family and friends. Remarkably, 73% of the Members noted the newsletter did assist them in communicating better with family and friends. It is also noteworthy that Member’s are still hesitating to share the newsletters itself with family or friend. Ongoing education with Members on reducing stigma continues to occur at the provider level and through the Member newsletters.