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 stressor s. Methods: Over a 21-month time period, we collected data regarding presentin g 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 source s within the hospital. With the exception of single session interventions, there were no differences in average length of services according to presen ting concern. Hospital pediatric specialists and psychology consultants wer e the primary referrers to the program. Pediatric specialists referred more often for procedural concerns and chronic illness than other hospital refe rrers. Conclusions: These findings support the feasibility and usefulness of a pro cess evaluation approach in shaping clinical program directions, creating o pportunities for collaboration with medical providers, and planning effecti veness research.