Reducing Adolescent Sexual and Mental Health Disparities by Increasing Access to Telemedicine and Mobile Care

A Pilot Intervention to Reduce Adolescent Sexual and Mental Health Disparities by Increasing Access to Telemedicine and Mobile Care (AccessKCTeen)

Investigators will attend a series of community outreach events that provide/demonstrate telemedicine and the Children's Mercy Mobile Unit which is equipped to provide direct patient care. Investigators will engage up to 12 teen peer leaders to encourage healthcare-seeking behaviors and mobilize their social networks to attend outreach events. At all events, the mobile unit will be available for teens to (a) demonstrate the mobile unit and telehealth experience; (b) learn about Sexual and Reproductive Health/Mental Health (SRH/MH) and local care resources; (c) register for future telemedicine care; (d) acquire free over-the-counter emergency contraception, condoms, and pregnancy tests.

AccessKCTeen is a pilot clinical outreach program that uses Children Mercy's Mobile Unit and Telemedicine to demonstrate and increase access to SRH and MH. AccessKCTeen intends to focus on these central activities:

1. Education based on a peer-leader model: In collaboration with community-based partners, investigators will identify and train approximately 12 peer leaders in disseminating information and resources for MH/SRH to their social networks. Peer leaders may disseminate information in the form of sharing curated online resources or mobilizing friends to attend live educational events. Peer leaders will also help connect their friends to resources by spreading information and encouraging friends to attend CM mobile unit demonstrations. Investigators will use text messaging to engage peers in these educational events and share general health resources.
2. Mobile Unit and Telemedicine Demonstration Events: The mobile unit will be present at community events to demonstrate how in-person care could work on the unit as well as how telemedicine works. Investigators will answer questions and help adolescents get registered for telemedicine.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Telemedicine or In-person Mobile unit arms: Aged 14-18 years old and Attended a Mobile Unit Demonstration
• Peer leaders: At least 14 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

• Telemedicine or In-person Mobile unit arms: Younger than 14 years old, 19 years of age or older, did not attend a Mobile Unit Demonstration, does not speak/understand English
• Peer leaders: Younger than 14 years old