Optimizing Medical-Legal Partnerships in Pediatric Psychology to Reduce Health Disparities

Abstract

Objective To provide a topical review of the literature on the use of medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) to address social determinants of health (SDH) needs as a means to reduce health disparities, and to make recommendations for the implementation of MLPs within pediatric psychologists’ clinical work, research, and training. Methods We conducted a topical review of the research on the intersection of MLPs, SDH needs, and health disparities among pediatric populations. Given the scarcity of literature available, both empirical and theoretical articles were included in the review. Results Though limited, the extant literature suggests that use of MLPs may help address the SDH needs that perpetuate disparities among pediatric populations. To date, MLPs are not as frequently incorporated in the training and work of pediatric psychologists as they may be in other related fields (e.g., medicine). Conclusions MLPs provide an opportunity for psychologists to broaden their interdisciplinary collaborations, to more aptly meet the social and legal needs of their patients to assist in reducing inequities among underserved pediatric populations. The systematic incorporation of MLPs into pediatric psychology training may help to increase the utilization of these services moving forward.

An Inquire of Cost and Benefits of Structural Interventions: The Case of Medical Legal Partnerships for People Living with HIV in Philadelphia, PA

“…Gaps in knowledge persists regarding the MLP's role in improving health, social and material conditions for PLWH. MLP effectively address health of PLWH through improved access to legal services, better physical and mental health, higher quality of life as well as reduced stress [ 11,70,71,72,73 ]. However, the long-term impact and viability of MLP in HIV clinics has been poorly explored in the economic evaluation literature.…”