The Child Neurology Workforce Study: pediatrician access and satisfaction

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology Workforce Analysis
• Healthcare Professional Opinion Surveys
• Child Neurological Services Utilization

Background:

• The supply and demand of pediatric specialists are critical for effective child healthcare.
• Understanding pediatrician perspectives is vital for assessing specialist workforce needs.
• Child neurology services are essential for managing complex pediatric neurological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate pediatrician perceptions of the availability and use of child neurologists nationwide.
• To identify factors influencing pediatrician satisfaction with child neurology consultations.
• To assess the current state of child neurology workforce in the United States from a primary care perspective.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to a random sample of 5000 pediatricians via email, with assistance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• A 32-item questionnaire collected data on pediatrician opinions regarding child neurologist supply, utilization, and consultation experiences.
• Response rate analysis and descriptive statistics were used to summarize findings from 422 pediatrician respondents.

Main Results:

• A significant majority of pediatricians (79% locally, 90% nationally) perceive a shortage of child neurologists.
• Consultation rates for new onset seizures were high (61%), but lower for migraines (7%) and tics (21%).
• Long wait times for consultations (≥5 weeks for 63%) were common, and satisfaction correlated with inter-physician communication, not wait times or satisfaction itself.

Conclusions:

• Pediatricians widely believe there is a workforce shortage in child neurology across the United States.
• Effective communication between pediatricians and child neurologists is a key factor in satisfaction with consultations.
• Factors such as increasing patient complexity and parental expectations are driving demand for child neurology services.