A Health Navigator intervention to address the health-related social needs of caregivers of hospitalised children in an Australian inpatient setting: a mixed-methods feasibility study

Interventions to address patients’ health-related social needs (HRSNs) using a Health Navigator (HN) are increasingly prevalent in health systems across many countries. Evidence suggests HN interventions based in paediatric health settings may address caregivers’ HRSNs, with potential long-term health benefits for children. HN interventions occur mostly in primary care, despite the barriers to access this care experienced by disadvantaged populations. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a HN intervention to address the HRSNs of caregivers of children admitted to a paediatric inpatient setting in Australia. This is a mixed-methods feasibility trial. The study occurred in an inpatient paediatric ward of a major hospital serving a socioeconomically disadvantaged population. Caregivers of admitted children who reported HRSNs and requested assistance were connected to the HN intervention for a three-month period of HN-led advocacy and referrals to community and government organisations. Primary outcomes were intervention feasibility and acceptability. Feasibility was measured quantitatively using process measures, e.g. intervention uptake and completion. A success threshold of 80% was set for process measures. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with (1) caregivers of who participated in the intervention, (2) caregivers who declined to participate in the intervention, and (3) ward team members, to explore intervention acceptability. Secondary measures included intervention effects on participants’ HRSNs, and participant satisfaction with the HN service. Ten participants took part in the HN intervention. The intervention was not feasible due to caregivers’ fear of mandatory reporting requirements and ward team members’ clinical workloads. Participants, caregivers and ward team members suggest outpatient settings as more appropriate for the HN intervention. The HN intervention was not appropriate for this paediatric inpatient population. This study suggests clinical and population context impact HN intervention uptake. Further research is required to determine if HN interventions are feasible and acceptable in Australian outpatient paediatric settings. This trial was prospectively registered on 22 April 2024 in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR reference: ACTRN12624000494538) (URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=387375%26isReview=true).