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Respiratory illness and healthcare utilization in children: the primary and secondary care interface
J A Cropper1, T L Frank, P I Frank
1GP Research Unit, North West Lung Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Insights
Healthcare use in children increases with respiratory illness severity. This study quantifies demand, aiding resource allocation for respiratory conditions and likely asthma cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare Research
- Respiratory Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Healthcare utilization patterns in pediatric populations require detailed quantification.
- Understanding the relationship between respiratory illness severity and healthcare demand is crucial for resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify healthcare utilization in children based on their level of respiratory illness.
- To assess primary and secondary healthcare use and prescribing patterns in relation to respiratory health status.
Main Methods:
- A stratified random sample of 713 children was selected based on postal respiratory questionnaire responses.
- Children were categorized into four groups indicating likelihood of asthma diagnosis.
- Two-year practice records were analyzed for primary and secondary healthcare consultations and prescriptions.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in primary and secondary care consultations for respiratory conditions was observed with higher illness likelihood (p = 0.001).
- Prescribing rates also significantly increased across illness severity groups.
- Notably, 8.1% of children identified as likely asthmatics received no respiratory care during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Increased respiratory illness likelihood in children correlates with higher healthcare demand.
- Quantifying this demand supports evidence-based resource allocation for respiratory conditions.
- The methodology can be adapted for quantifying healthcare needs in other populations.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to quantify the healthcare utilization of a child population according to level of respiratory illness. A stratified random sample of 713 children was selected from respondents to a postal respiratory questionnaire, carried out in two general practice populations in 1993. Children were stratified into four groups according to the number of positive responses to five key questions. These groups were used as indicators of likelihood of asthma diagnosis. A search was made of these childrens' practice records covering a 2-yr period, to include both primary and secondary healthcare. There was a significant increase across positive response groups in the proportion of children having primary and secondary care based consultations, particularly for respiratory conditions (p = 0.001). There was also a significant increase in prescribing. Of those children considered to be "likely asthmatics" from their questionnaire responses, 8.1% (n = 31) did not receive any primary or secondary care for a respiratory problem over the 2-yr period. As the likelihood of respiratory illness increased in this population, more demand was made upon resources for the treatment of respiratory illness. Quantification of this demand enables evidence based resource allocation decisions to be made. This method of quantification could be applied in other populations.