Elaine M Meehan1,2, Susan M Reid1,2, Katrina J Williams1,2,3,4, Gary L Freed5, Jillian R Sewell1,6,7, Dinah S Reddihough1,2,3. 1. Department of Paediatrics. 2. Developmental Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Clinical Sciences. 3. Developmental Medicine. 4. Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 5. Health Systems and Workforce Unit, Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne. 6. Community Health Services Research, Population Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. 7. Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the patterns of medical service use in children with cerebral palsy (CP), taking into account child and family characteristics. METHODS: Nine hundred and one parents and carers of children registered with the Victorian CP Register were invited to complete a survey. Participants were asked about their child's appointments with general practitioners and public and private paediatric medical specialists over the preceding 12 months. Information on family characteristics and finances was also collected. Data on CP severity and complexity were extracted from the CP Register. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty parents and carers (39%) participated. Of these, 83% reported that their child had ≥1 appointment with a general practitioner over the preceding 12 months, while 84% had ≥1 appointment with a public or private paediatric medical specialist. Overall, 58% of children saw 2-5 different paediatric medical specialists, while 9% had appointments with ≥6 clinicians. Children with severe and complex CP were more likely to have had ≥1 appointment with a publically funded paediatric medical specialist and had seen a greater number of different clinicians over the study period. Family characteristics were not associated with service use. CONCLUSIONS: Children with CP are managed by a number of paediatric medical specialists, and they continue to see a range of specialists throughout adolescence. In Victoria, differences in service use are not based on family characteristics; instead the highest service users are those with severe and complex CP. For this group, care co-ordination and information sharing between treating clinicians are important, if gaps in care are to be avoided.
AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the patterns of medical service use in children with cerebral palsy (CP), taking into account child and family characteristics. METHODS: Nine hundred and one parents and carers of children registered with the Victorian CP Register were invited to complete a survey. Participants were asked about their child's appointments with general practitioners and public and private paediatric medical specialists over the preceding 12 months. Information on family characteristics and finances was also collected. Data on CP severity and complexity were extracted from the CP Register. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty parents and carers (39%) participated. Of these, 83% reported that their child had ≥1 appointment with a general practitioner over the preceding 12 months, while 84% had ≥1 appointment with a public or private paediatric medical specialist. Overall, 58% of children saw 2-5 different paediatric medical specialists, while 9% had appointments with ≥6 clinicians. Children with severe and complex CP were more likely to have had ≥1 appointment with a publically funded paediatric medical specialist and had seen a greater number of different clinicians over the study period. Family characteristics were not associated with service use. CONCLUSIONS:Children with CP are managed by a number of paediatric medical specialists, and they continue to see a range of specialists throughout adolescence. In Victoria, differences in service use are not based on family characteristics; instead the highest service users are those with severe and complex CP. For this group, care co-ordination and information sharing between treating clinicians are important, if gaps in care are to be avoided.
Authors: Kyleigh Schraeder; Brooke Allemang; Ashley N Felske; Cathie M Scott; Kerry A McBrien; Gina Dimitropoulos; Susan Samuel Journal: J Prim Care Community Health Date: 2022 Jan-Dec