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Medical-Legal Partnerships Facilitate Patient-Provider Cost of Care Conversations: A Multisite Qualitative Study in the U.S.

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the impact of medical-legal partnerships on facilitating and managing outcomes of patient-provider cost of care conversations. We conducted 96 semi-structured interviews with 18 patients and 78 medical-legal partnership personnel from 10 states between March and November of 2020. The presence of legal staff helped strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations and build confidence among providers around addressing health-harming legal needs through effective cost of care conversations. Medical-legal partnerships with well-established provider training opportunities reported effective cost of care conversations, improved patient outcomes, and increased return on investment for health systems. Lack of time, knowledge, and training were identified as barriers to clinicians engaging in cost of care conversations. Positive patient outcomes included improved access to public benefits, health benefits, financial benefits, special education services, stable housing, and food. Medical-legal partnerships facilitate effective patient-provider cost of care conversations that improve patients' medical, legal, and social service outcomes.

Source: Clinical Nursing Research

DOI: 10.1177/10547738221120339

Authors: Jean S. Edward, Kimberly D. Northrip, Andrea Welker, Julia F. Costich

Institution: University of Kentucky

Language: English

Topic: Legal Education and Practice Innovations

Subfield: Law

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,750