Comparison of Self-Referred And Physician-Referred Patients To a Pediatric Diagnostic Center

Self-referral of children by parents without the knowledge of the child's regular physician can lead to redundant or unnecessary testing and difficulty in arranging follow-up care. This study was designed to investigate reasons for self-referral in a hospital-based pediatric diagnostic center....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical pediatrics 1993-07, Vol.32 (7), p.412-416
Main Authors: Beebe, Susan A., Casey, Rosemary, Magnusson, Mark R., Pasquariello, Patrick S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Child, Preschool
Emergency and intensive care: neonates and children. Prematurity. Sudden death
Female
Hospitals, Pediatric - utilization
Humans
Intensive care medicine
Male
Medical sciences
Parents
Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data
Philadelphia
Professional-Family Relations
Prospective Studies
Referral and Consultation - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:Self-referral of children by parents without the knowledge of the child's regular physician can lead to redundant or unnecessary testing and difficulty in arranging follow-up care. This study was designed to investigate reasons for self-referral in a hospital-based pediatric diagnostic center. During the study period, 59 patients were referred by their regular physicians and 51 were self-referred. In multiple-choice questionnaires completed by 85% of the parents, nearly half (18/39; 46%) of those who were self-referred but only 2/51 (4%) of physician-referred parents said the child's regular physician was unconcerned about the medical problem. Further study on the causes for this perception is needed before recommendations can be made to physicians about demonstrating their concern to families.
ISSN:0009-9228
1938-2707
DOI:10.1177/000992289303200705