Case mix presenting to paediatricians in a UK district (1998)

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Medicine
• Healthcare Services Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Paediatric outpatient referral patterns and case mix are crucial for understanding healthcare needs.
• Previous studies established baseline referral rates and conditions in the UK a decade prior.
• Changes in referral patterns may indicate evolving health trends or service delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze current paediatric outpatient referral data and compare it with historical trends.
• To characterize the case mix and referral rates for different paediatrician groups.
• To evaluate the role of community paediatricians in the referral pathway.

Main Methods:

• Observational study design analyzing prospective data from written correspondence.
• Data collected over a 3-month period at Northampton General Hospital in 1998.
• Categorization of referrals by paediatrician type (general, community, consultant clinics).

Main Results:

• Referral rate to general paediatric outpatients remained stable at approximately 20/1000 per annum.
• Urogenital and cardiac issues surpassed asthma as the most common referral reasons.
• Consultant community paediatricians managed complex developmental and behavioral issues, with most referrals from non-physicians.

Conclusions:

• General paediatric outpatient referral rates are stable, but the case mix has significantly changed.
• Community paediatricians, particularly non-consultant grades, play a vital role in community care coordination.
• Exploring open access to investigations for general practitioners could help manage outpatient demand.