Using process evaluation to describe a hospital-based clinic for children coping with medical stressors.

OBJECTIVE To use process evaluation methods to describe the development of a hospital-based mental health clinic for children facing medical stressors. METHODS Over a 21-month time period, we collected data regarding presenting concern, service use, and referral source using hospital administrative, clinic intake, and clinical records for 356 children. RESULTS Nearly 90% of the children were referred to the clinic from sources within the hospital. With the exception of single session interventions, there were no differences in average length of services according to presenting concern. Hospital pediatric specialists and psychology consultants were the primary referrers to the program. Pediatric specialists referred more often for procedural concerns and chronic illness than other hospital referrers. CONCLUSIONS These findings support the feasibility and usefulness of a process evaluation approach in shaping clinical program directions, creating opportunities for collaboration with medical providers, and planning effectiveness research.