2024 Funded Micro Grant
Engaging Patients During Clinic Wait Times at After Care Clinic
Rosalyn Stewart, Caitlin Dowd-Green, Myron Fleming, Kristin Lushington
JHU Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins After Care Clinic
The Johns Hopkins After Care Clinic (ACC) is a multidisciplinary clinic, serving as a bridge for patients recently in the Johns Hopkins Hospital or Emergency Department transitioning towards their longitudinal care plan. The clinic serves patients of all backgrounds—many are faced with social and medical barriers that prevent them from attending their ACC appointment. To account for this reality while fulfilling the clinic’s mission, the ACC clinic schedules are overbooked. However, this means that on days when many patients attend their appointments, wait times can be incredibly lengthy—sometimes up to an hour. Patients not engaged during this time may want to leave or feel frustration going into their appointment.
The team is using the IHM grant to purchase materials that will help patients stay engaged during their time in the waiting room. They will purchase iPads with meditation, music, games, and health education resources available. They will also provide non-electronic options for brain stimulation, with puzzles and coloring books. For patients who are also taking care of children, engaging children with ACC-provided toys may allow caregivers more space to focus on their medical encounters.