Abstract
Introduction
Psychosocial assessment of adolescents and young adult patients is recommended as a routine part of Australian healthcare. The eHEEADSSS is a digital adaptation of the HEEADSSS interview designed to identify psychosocial strengths and concerns that may have long-term impacts on health and well-being. Five red flag questions in the eHEEADSSS capture pressing patient concerns that require immediate follow-up and/or escalation (e.g., suicidal/self-harm thoughts or behaviours, sexual coercion, and safety).
Objectives
The current study investigated the use of eHEEADSSS at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network over four years (2021–2025). The aim of this research was to describe current implementation and explore the rates of red flag concerns across services and sub-populations.
Methods
The study employed a retrospective cohort design to analyse quantitative data from 944 first-time assessments and 240 repeated assessments that were linked with hospital medical records. Descriptives, chi-square tests and non-parametric t-tests were used to explore the data.
Results
Results revealed a steady increase in eHEEADSSS usage over four years. Emergency departments reported the highest completion rates and the greatest rates of red flags across all categories. Mental health presentations accounted for significantly higher rates of red flag concerns.
Conclusions
Results indicate increasing normalisation of eHEEADSSS use across the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Findings substantiate the adaptability of eHEEADSSS across clinical settings and provide valuable insights to support hospital-wide service planning. Key presenting pyshosocial concerns across settings will be presented.
Key messages
• This work explores adoption of a digital psychosocial assessment tool for patients at a paediatric hospital network 4 years post implementation.
• This study reports on key psychosocial concerns identified for adolescents within a paediatric hospital patient cohort over a period of 4 years.